A MOTHER who disappeared on a sunshine holiday leaving her three children with a 15-year-old babysitter, is upset and has tried to fly home early, according to a friend.

These pictures show Kelly Ann Piggford, from Darlington, enjoying a second week of sunshine in the seaside resort of Marmaris, in Turkey.

Miss Piggford's children, who are aged four, two and 11 months, were taken into care by social services and police a week ago, after a call from a concerned neighbour.

And although these pictures show the 24-year-old looking as if she hasn't a care in the world, Dan Lowe, 20, the children's godfather who has been in touch with her in Turkey, said Miss Piggford was upset the children had been taken away, but could not get an early flight home.

The Northern Echo tried to get in contact with Miss Piggford several times at her apartment yesterday, but she didn't return the calls.

It is believed Miss Piggford will not be returning to Britain until next Tuesday.

Yesterday, on Darlington's Red Hall estate, where Miss Piggford lives, neighbours said they were worried she would be "torn apart" on her return.

Yesterday, she asked for money to be transferred over to her in Turkey.

When a national newspaper tracked her down at Ginger's restaurant and apartments, in Marmaris, Miss Piggford insisted she had left the children in the care of Mr Lowe, 20.

However, when detectives called at the 15-year-old babysitter's home on the Red Hall estate yesterday, she gave them a full statement in which she admitted she had been left in sole charge of the children. It is understood she was not being paid by Miss Piggford.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "Inquiries are continuing and, in the meantime, we are awaiting her return. When she arrives, arrangements will be made to speak to her by both ourselves and social services."

The three children, two girls and a boy, are staying with their father, Melvin Jenkinson, in the Haughton area of Darlington.