RUNAWAY lovers Matthew Brooks and Naomi Mills spoke of their regret at fleeing to Scotland when they appeared on television last night.

The former policeman and his 16-year-old fiance also revealed they were hoping to heal the rift with their families.

The couple, who are both from Worcester, were speaking on television for the first time about their controversial relationship and dramatic disappearance, which sparked a nationwide search when they ran away together in March.

Matthew told Tonight with Trevor Macdonald that he knew running away was a bad idea, but his concern was for Naomi, just 15 at the time, who threatened to kill herself after her parents banned her from seeing him.

"Naomi just said: 'I want to get away from Worcester' and the only thing I was thinking about at the time was the fact that Naomi was going to kill herself," said Matthew.

The couple fled to the Kyle of Tongue, Scotland, in a car that Matthew had taken on a test drive that morning from BJH Motors in Worcester.

Police launched a land and sea search after the car - which had not been paid for - was found partially submerged.

The pair, who are now living together in flat in Worcester, were eventually spotted on a Highland road by a journalist and Matthew was arrested on suspicion of child abduction.

"I really thought I was going to prison at the time," said Matthew, who resigned from his job at Worcester police station following his arrest.

"Being an ex-police officer in prison would be hell," he said.

However, West Mercia police announced it would not be pressing charges and after hearing that the 22-year-old dreams of rejoining the service, said it would consider his application.

In a statement, West Mercia police said: "Matthew resigned from the force and if he were to apply to rejoin, we would have to take into account the manner in which he conducted himself previously and his performance as a police officer."

John Hemming, of BJH Motors, tuned in to last night's programme and said Matthew settled the £2,000 cost of the car two weeks ago.

"We can't say it was a good thing that he did, but at the end of the day it's happened and we've got our money."