Police have confirmed they are investigating reports that three women and nine children are missing after travelling to Saudi Arabia.

The 12 relatives - three sisters and their children - were due to return home to Bradford on Thursday, but there has been no contact with them since Tuesday, according to a solicitor acting on behalf of the Dawood family.

The family set off on an Islamic Pilgrimage on Thursday, May 28, but reports suggest only ten of them boarded a flight from Madina, in Saudi Arabia, to Istanbul, Turkey, on Tuesday.

A spokesman for Khan Solicitors Bradford said: “The family are extremely concerned as to the whereabouts of the missing persons and their welfare.

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There has been no contact from any of the family since June 9, 2015. The mobile telephones with the group have not been active since June 9, 2015. Their social media profiles have also not been updated since that date.”

The law firm said the concerns had been reported to police.

West Yorkshire Police said it could confirm that they had received a report that 12 people, comprising three adults and nine children, from the Bradford area are missing; Khadija Dawood, Sugra Dawood and Zohra Dawood and nine children aged between 5- 15 years.

Since their disappearance was reported on June 11, West Yorkshire Police said they had been supporting the family and carrying out extensive enquiries.

Officers have started an investigation to establish their whereabouts and are working extensively with authorities overseas to try and locate them.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "We are extremely concerned for the safety of the family and would urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to us.

"Our priority is for their safe return; their families are gravely worried about them and want them home. One of our primary concerns is the safety and welfare of the young children”

 Police said that, as this was a live investigation, they were unable to comment further.