Mother's plea over beauty queen

Kovi went to Surrey to stay with a friend but she has since gone missing

A mother has travelled to London in a bid to find her missing beauty queen daughter, who has been suffering from the effects of a facial condition.

Kovi Dunbar, 17, has been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, which can cause one side of the face to droop.

The Miss Teen Britain finalist, who lives at Cwmbran, Torfaen, was last seen a week ago in Croydon.

"I want to know where my daughter is," said Cynthia Langeveldt before leaving. "I don't know what is going on."

"I have just received some information and I must go to London to find my daughter."

Her partner Sion Stallard added: "We're going to turn up in London and find out what is going on.

"There is a bit of concern as to where Kovi is because there are stories going around that people have spoken to her and seen her but we're not sure of them and the only way to sort it is to go up there."

Kovi was born in Zimbabwe but moved to Cwmbran two years ago with her family.

She was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy soon after coming to the UK and her mother Cynthia Langeveldt entered her into a beauty competition to boost her confidence.

Kovi went on to represent Wales in the final of Miss Teen UK and Miss Teen Britain last year.

'Nice surprise'

"The Bell's Palsy has been really difficult for her to deal with. She had to resit her GCSE year because she has been in and out of hospital," Ms Langeveldt said.

"On a monthly basis Kovi gets facial paralysis for two weeks at a time and she's found it difficult to cope with."

"I didn't tell Kovi I was entering her for the beauty competitions because I thought it would be a nice surprise.

Kovi is due to appear in the Miss Teen Commonwealth contest

"Entering her into the competition was my way of thanking her."

Gwent Police said Kovi was last seen at home on 2 April.

She was wearing a black short sleeved T-shirt, blue jeans, a grey tracksuit top and a black parker jacket with grey fur and orange lining.

She was carrying three suitcases - one black, one red and one orange. Officers said Kovi speaks with a south African accent.

She went to the Croydon in south London to stay with a friend but she has since gone missing from that address.

Kovi is described as of mixed race appearance with long black hair. She is due to appear in the Miss Teen Commonwealth contest in July.

Mr Stallard said her disappearence was "out of character".

"We have disagreements in the house and they last about half an hour or an hour, but running away is totally out of character," he added.

If anyone has any information about Kovi's whereabouts they are asked to call Gwent Police on 01633 838111.