A MENTALLY unstable woman who is missing with her five daughters has approached a number of organisations and people with bogus stories to gain support and shelter, police have said.

Natalie Bracht fled her home in Sunderland, with her children - aged four to 13 - on May 17 after learning they were going to be taken into care.

The 34-year-old was initially spotted in the Harlesden area of London and from there officers traced her and the girls to Yeovil, Somerset, where police are focusing their efforts.

Today her father John contacted Northumbria Police in order to set the record straight after a statement made by Ms Brecht about her family was broadcast on the internet.

In the recording she makes a large number of claims about her past.

Northumbria Police were contacted by Natalie's parents, John and Heidrun Brown, who wish to put the record straight.

"My daughter Natalie Bracht has gone missing with our five grand daughters," said Mr Brown.

"My wife and I are very worried about Natalie and the girls and if she reads this article I urge her to hand herself into the police.

"My wife and I are greatly upset by some the things Natalie is suggesting to be true to other people.

"I am Natalie's father and I have never heard of the man who she portrays to be her father, this Moshe Baton.

"I am English and moved to Germany in the 1970s to live with my family. I have never been to Libya and never had to seek asylum in any country.

"I have never worked on behalf of the Israeli Government. Neither me, my wife, nor Natalie are Jewish and I don't know where she has got this idea from.

"We follow the Baptist faith and none of our family have ever had links to the Jewish faith.

"Natalie is unwell and urgently needs help. We want to appeal to Natalie to bring our grandchildren home.

"We want her to know that we love her very much and we will support her through this. We would urge Natalie to make contact with us, or the police. If anyone has any information about where she is we urge them to pass this onto the police so that the children can be brought home safely."

Detective Chief Inspector Roger Ford of Northumbria Police said: "Natalie is an accomplished story teller, but the truth is far more mundane.

"She has been assessed by her local Social Services and based on their findings Interim Care Orders have been put in place by the High Court for all five of her daughters.

"This means that they should be in the care of their local authority, rather than being several hundred miles from home, friends and school mates, with no obvious means of support, having to rely on the good will of others.

"My number one priority continues to be the safe return of Natalie's daughters, above all else I want to see them safe and well and back in the North East.

"To those who might be sheltering Natalie and the girls, I would ask them to consider her statements very carefully in light of the Interim Care Orders and her Histrionic Personality Disorder.

"The children's safety and welfare are of increasing concern to us. My message to Natalie is that this has gone on long enough, it is time she came forward to police."

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