Frantic search for missing girl Autumn Pasquale, 12, who disappeared while out riding her bike

A frantic search is underway for a missing 12-year-old girl who disappeared over the weekend after setting off to visit a friend's house on her bicycle.

Autumn Pasquale was last seen riding a white BMX bicycle as she left her home in Clayton, Gloucester County at around 12.30pm on Saturday.

Yesterday FBI investigators joined police officers from 40 departments to search through the night for any trace of the missing girl.

Autumn is described as white, about 5ft 2ins tall, around 120 pounds with blue eyes and blonde hair which she was wearing in a pony tail or bun.

She was wearing navy blue sweatpants, a distinctive yellow T-shirt with the words 'Clayton Soccer' on the front, bright blue high-top sneakers and a silver or light gray cinch backpack with 'Reckless' printed on the back.

Her father Tony Pasquale told NBC news: 'It's not like her.

'Everyone's working together to try and find her. We love her and we want her to come home.'

Hundreds of local people yesterday met at a church to organise search parties and distribute flyers.

They had been asked to stay out of local woods so bloodhounds could try to pick up the missing girl's scent.

A signal from Autumn's phonecell was picked up by a phone tower in nearby Williamstown. Investigators believe the phone is now either switched off or has run out of power.

Autumn was last seen leaving her family home in Clayton, Gloucester County at 12.30pm on Saturday

Hunt: Local volunteers gather on Sunday to organise search parties fro the missing girl

Michelle Connell whose daughter is a friend of Autumn's told NBC news: 'People have been out searching all day everywhere.

'All over town, every little park, railroad parks and school buildings. Every place we can think of.

'She's a good kid. She's a sweet girl. Everyone is upset.'