A DISTRAUGHT mother has begged her ex-partner to return her four-year-old daughter - feared to have been snatched and taken abroad.

Police across Europe have been put on alert for on-the-run father David Lancaster who may have taken his daughter Lauren to Europe.

Her mother Hayley Allen, of Walker, Newcastle, yesterday appealed to the 49-year-old to return the youngster to her Tyneside home.

Interpol has been called in by Northumbria Police to help trace Mr Lancaster, who was allegedly involved in a violent assault on Ms Allen before grabbing Lauren three weeks ago.

Ms Allen suffered bruising and went to hospital, but returned to realise that Lauren, who had been with her father for the day, had been abducted.

Ms Allen, 24, said: "Lauren has not been away from home for so long before. She will be bewildered and missing familiar surroundings.

"If he won't return with her, he can ask any friends or relatives to bring her back."

Police know that Mr Lancaster has a large network of friends and associates in the UK and Jersey, France, Spain and other parts of Europe, some of whom are known criminals.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Beasley, who is leading the hunt, said: "We are becoming increasingly concerned over the whereabouts of Lauren.

"We don't think she is at risk of intentional harm from her father, but we know he is unfamiliar with coping with the needs of a child as young as this.

"We believe he is keeping Lauren for two reasons: so he can exert pressure on the mother to retract a complaint made against him after the assault incident on April 1, and so he can cause her as much distress as possible."

Mr Lancaster left in a red L-registered Peugeot car, which is being hunted by forces throughout the country.

Lawyers for Ms Allen obtain-ed a restraining order at the High Court in Newcastle, demanding Lauren's return.

The youngster has light brown curly hair, and when last seen was wearing denim Barbie jeans, a blue denim jacket, and a white T-shirt with a horse emblem on the front.

Mr Lancaster is 5ft 10in, medium to heavy build, with short brown hair, brown eyes and tattoos on his arms and legs.

Anyone with information should contact Newcastle East CID on 0191-214 6555.