A Roma couple accused of abducting a mystery four-year-old girl dubbed the “blonde angel” by Greek media told a court that her biological mother willingly gave her to them as a baby because she could not look after her.

A couple have been remanded in custody, charged with the abduction of a mystery blonde girl in Greece known as 'Maria'.

The little girl who sparked worldwide interest after being found living with a Roma couple accused of kidnapping her is older than initially thought, according to helpers.

Eight leads have emerged that could result in the identification of a four-year-old girl found living on a gypsy camp in Greece.