A DOTING mum made a plea to help her get her children back after they disappeared in Canada with their dad.

Mrs Zandra Walmsley, of Darwen, could not see them again unless she raised enough money. The children were with their father, David Walsh, and Mrs Walmsley and her second husband, Stuart, had fought hard with authorities to bring the children back to the UK.

The couple organised an appeal with the Lancashire Telegraph to raise funds for the legal fees in order to get the children back. The 34-year-old mother said: “The past few weeks have been awful but I am not giving up hope yet.

“We have had to spend over £500 trying to get the children back so far and we have not got anywhere. Now we have practically no money left.

“I will carry on trying to get them home, no matter what, and if the public can help by supporting the appeal, then that would be a wonderful bonus.”

She was given custody when she divorced her husband, in 1976. Mr Walsh asked the children to holiday with him in his home in Canada, but 13-year-old Sarah was the only sibling on the flight back.

The children had not even been able to contact their mum during the period.