OFFICERS trying to trace a missing mother and her five young daughters have evidence that the family travelled to London on the night they disappeared.

Natalie Bracht, 34, left her home in Sunderland on Saturday, May 17 with her children, aged between five and 13, and is believed to have travelled in a taxi to Newcastle, where she was seen at 1pm.

Natalie and her daughters have not been seen since and concern for their safety is growing, given the length of time they have been missing and concerns regarding Natalie's emotional well being.

DCI Roger Ford of Northumbria Police, said: "There is a strong possibility that Natalie and her children have travelled to London last Saturday.

"We are now into the seventh day since Natalie and the girls went missing and I am concerned for everyone's welfare.

"Natalie does not appear to have had access to much money, certainly not enough to look after herself and her five children. Nor does she appear to have any family connections in the area.

"I can not rule out that someone or some organisation is offering the family assistance or shelter.

"I would urge anyone who is doing this or who has any information about where Natalie and her daughters are now to contact our incident room in Sunderland."

Officers from the Metropolitan Police are assisting the investigation.

Natalie moved to the North East in 2006 with her daughters from Germany.

Anyone with information about Natalie or her children, is asked to call Northumbria Police on 03456 043 043.