Weather hampers search for missing girl

Poor visibility and cold conditions are hampering the search for a British girl missing on the highest mountain in south east Asia.

Ellie James disappeared on Thursday after being split from her family while descending 13,455ft Mount Kinabulu on Borneo Island.

Up to 50 rescuers, including Sabah Park rangers and local Dusun guides, have formed small teams to try to locate her.

But their efforts have been hampered by abnormal weather conditions, including thick mist and heavy rain.

A spokeswoman for tour organiser Travelbag Adventures said: "On the day Ellie went missing, at the base of the mountain it was like a clear summer day.

"But since then thick mist and heavy rain set in, which is making the whole rescue operation much more difficult.

"It's usual to have one or two days of rain or cold, but it has continued for three or four days."

The girl, her brothers and their parents, who are believed to be from Cornwall but live in Europe, were among a group of 12 British trekkers who began climbing the mountain on Wednesday.

Ellie's father, Bruce James, 54, and mother Claire, 49, alerted park rangers when they realised Ellie and her brother had become separated from the group during strong winds and heavy mist.

A search was launched within two hours, and the boy, Henry, 15, was found five hours later by park rangers and the Dusun guides.