Four-year-old Jade Bennett and her three-year-old sister Hannah have been missing since Monday after leaving their home in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire.

Cambridgeshire Social Services say the foster parents are in a "distressed state" and they are concerned for the childrens' welfare.

Ishbel Matheson: Police concerned for the girls' welfare

The couple, Jeffrey Bramley, 34, and Jennifer Bramley, 35, were due to attend a meeting with social services staff in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, at 10.30 on Monday.

The appointment was not kept and police say the family have vanished.

Missing: Jade Bennett, four

Liz Railton, director of social services at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "We had to make some decisions which have given distress to this couple.

"We now have to be concerned for their welfare and for the welfare of the two children and would like to find them as a matter of urgency."

She said nothing had happened to indicate to social workers that the couple were about to abscond.

Police have carried out house-to-house inquiries and ports and airports around the UK have been alerted.

"We need to find the children and Mr and Mrs Bramley to ensure that they are safe and well," said Sergeant Chris Skepper.

"I would urge anyone who knows where they might have gone or who saw them leave to come forward.

"In particular I would like to speak to anyone who may have spoken to Mr and Mrs Bramley in the days leading up to the disappearance."

Missing: Hannah Bennett, three

Royal Mail worker Mr Bramley and his wife had been caring for the girls since March.

Social services staff spoke to the couple on Sunday evening, but early on Monday morning Mr Bramley called work to say he was ill.

Sgt Skepper added: "Since that call we have been unable to find anyone who has heard from the couple or seen them or the children."

Social services staff say the children's natural mother is being kept informed of developments.

The couple are thought to have left home in a blue Honda Concerto, registration G152 SHR.

Jade is said to have fair hair and blue eyes. She is about 3ft tall, of sturdy build and with a mole on her right cheek.