The family of missing British actress Tanya Fear has confirmed she has been found safe by police.

Los Angeles Police Department had previously said it was told by its missing persons unit that Fear had been found alive.

The actress, who starred in Doctor Who in 2018, was last seen leaving her Hollywood Bowl apartment, in Los Angeles, on Thursday 9 September.

A tweet from the FindTanyaFear Twitter account, which is run by her family, said: “It is with great pleasure and relief to report that Tanya has been found safe by police today.

“We understand she is not physically harmed but as a precaution, is being assessed at a local hospital.

“We wish to thank police, members of the public for their efforts in locating Tanya, as well as the outpouring of concern and support over the last several days.

“Tanya’s family are relieved and extremely grateful”.

A statement posted on the Twitter account earlier on Monday said she left without her mobile phone or purse and was reported missing by a friend.

Fear’s mother, Yvonne Marimo, said at the time: “I am devastated about this situation, and I appeal to anyone with information to please come forward to bring our daughter back home safely”.

The statement, issued before she was found, said her family wanted to launch their own search and were applying for visas to travel to the states.

Fear also starred in the French series Spotless, as well as the film Kick-Ass 2, and had been recently performing stand-up comedy.

She is best known to UK audiences for her role as Dr Jade McIntyre in Doctor Who.