FAMILY and friends are rallying around a heartbroken mother-of-six whose children were snatched away to Pakistan by her husband 11 days ago.

Razia Mushtaq, 36, in Whitendale Crescent, Lower Audley, Blackburn, is clinging onto the hope that the police and Interpol will locate them in Gujrat soon.

But, even if they are found, she faces a custody battle to bring home her four girls and two boys.

Police will not be able to prosecute Mushtaq Ahmed for abduction because he was entitled to take them away as a joint legal guardian.

Razia, who speaks little English and has lived here for just two years since moving from Pakistan to be near Mushtaq, was feeling helpless, according to her family.

Her sister and nephew, from the Turf Moor area of Burnley, and close friends from Whitendale Crescent, are comforting Razia and helping ring friends and the police in hope of breakthrough information.

Mushtaq Ahmed fled with his six children, daughters Mariam, Zuleqa, Alia and Mobeena and sons Bilal and Ali, on December 22 after telling Razia, his wife of 15 years, that he needed them to obtain travel visas.

A friend told Razia he had gone to Gujrat because Mushtaq believed the children would have a better upbringing there.

Razia said: "I am feeling very upset and am desperate to have my children back. I am scared I may not see them again and am missing them very badly."