Desperate hunt for mum who has gone on the run with her daughters aged 12 and five after she accused the police of 'illegally' taking the girls away from her 

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Vanished: Angela Kelly is missing with her children

A mother has vanished with her two young children hours after accusing police of taking them away from her.

Angela Kelly was last seen with her daughters Shanti Harbourne, 12, and five-year-old Maya-Rose Kelly-Johnson in Camberley, Surrey, on Sunday evening.

The night before their disappearance, Miss Kelly posted a message on Facebook saying police had 'illegally' taken her children away, giving her no warning besides an email.

She wrote: 'Can anyone help? The police took my children into care last night... tried to run but they caught us... they had no paperwork but took the children anyway... only an email of a court order sent to my email address... I need to negotiate with them when their offices open again on Tuesday... anyone got any experience? Thanks.'

At 6am on Sunday, Miss Kelly wrote again: 'Hi everyone... Shanti and Rosie still being held against their will and mine by the state... but I feel stronger today... thank you for your messages of support, loves... xxx.'

It is not known whether the girls were officially released back into her care, but later on Sunday, Miss Kelly and her children disappeared.

Scotland Yard appealed for help last night in tracing them amid suspicions that they are being harboured by family members. A spokesman said this morning that the family had not been located, but would not comment on Miss Kelly's Facebook claims.

Within minutes of Miss Kelly's Facebook post on Saturday, her mother Sylvia, a retired superintendent registrar, wrote back: 'Dad & I are meeting you at the Town Hall at 11am. My no is… if you want to change that. Love Mum xxxxxx.' 

Police appeal: Shanti Harbourne, 12, and Maya-Rose Kelly-Johnson, five, have not been seen since Sunday

Dozens of other friends posted messages of support. 

In March, Miss Kelly, the managing director of a restaurant, wrote on Facebook: 'No court order is ever valid… If you are being evicted etc etc... stand up for yourselves!'

Police believe the children may be in Camden, north London, but said the family also have links to West London.

Online messages: The night before their disappearance, Miss Kelly posted a message on Facebook saying police had 'illegally' taken her children away, giving her no warning besides an email

A spokesman said: 'Police are appealing for the whereabouts of two children who have gone missing.

'Shanti Harbourne, 12, and her five-year-old sister Maya-Rose Kelly-Johnson have not been seen since May 1. They were last seen in Camberley, Surrey, at 11pm on May 1.

'It is believed they are in the company of their biological mother Angela Kelly, 46.' Anyone with information is asked to call police.