Mother appeals for daughter’s safe return

A MOTHER at the centre of a tug-of-love battle with her ex-husband has made a tearful appeal for the safe return of their four-year-old daughter.

Simon Clayton, 41, is believed to be heading for Morocco after fleeing to Europe with his daughter Estelle 20 days ago. The girl, known as Esti, was last seen on April 9 when she was dropped off by her mother, Aneta Clayton, 29, of Brecon, Mid Wales, at a cafe close to Hay-on-Wye, where she had arranged to meet Mr Clayton.

Mr Clayton, driving a Volkswagen Caravelle, was spotted with Esti on a ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, France, within hours of picking her up. Her mother fought back tears as she said: “It has been almost three weeks since Esti went missing and they have been the longest and emptiest three weeks of my life.