Police searching for missing mother and twin daughters, aged four

Police are "urgently" searching for a mother and her twin four-year-old daughters who have vanished from their home in Essex.

Michelle Ross and her twins, Elsie-May and Sunny Jay, from Braintree, were last in contact with their family two weeks ago.

The mother and daughters were reported missing by relatives on Thursday, after they had been unable to reach them since February 19.

It is the first time the 40-year-old has gone missing and it is "very unusual" for her children to miss their nursery classes in the town, Essex Police said.

Ms Ross is described as being 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, with long straight blonde hair and blue eyes. She also has a tattoo of the name "Paul" on the back of her neck

The force said they did not know if the family are still in the Braintree area or have left, although Ms Ross does not have a car.

Any sightings of the mother and her daughters should be reported to Essex Police on 01245 491491.