A woman who fled with her five daughters when she learnt that they could be taken into care disguised them with robes and headscarves to make her getaway.

Natalie Bracht and the girls, aged 5 to 13, have been avoiding the authorities since leaving their home in Sunderland in May.

Yesterday the High Court gave permission for photographs of the children to be released in the hope that someone will recognise them. The pictures include images from a CCTV camera at King's Cross Station that show the family wearing Muslim-style clothes shortly after they left.

Miss Bracht, who is said to suffer from a “histrionic personality disorder”, moved to Britain from Dusseldorf in 2006. She ran off after a panel of medical experts said that they were concerned for the childrens’ welfare.

Police and social services in Sunderland have issued renewed calls for information about their whereabouts.

The family spent some time in Harlesden, northwest London, before moving to a commune near Yeovil in the West Country, from which they fled after police were alerted. The last confirmed sighting was on a bus from Exeter to the Dartmoor village of Moretonhampstead in July.

Miss Bracht, 35, speaks English with a German accent and is believed to have talked people into helping her by claiming to be the daughter of a Libyan scientist whose life is in danger.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Bentham, of Northumbria Police, said: "Following the decision at the High Court to allow the identification of Natalie's five daughters, we can today release for the first time these CCTV stills without obscuring the girls' faces.

"They were taken on Saturday, May 17, at 6.20pm, at King's Cross railway station in London.

"In them Natalie is seen wearing a flowing white robe and headscarf, while some of her daughters also seem to be wearing headscarves.

"We don't know how Natalie and the girls are dressed now — they may have altered their appearance several times — however we are asking people to keep an eye open for them."

Anyone with information can call Northumbria Police on 03456 043043, or contact the Missing People charity, on 0500 700 700 or email seensomeone@missingpeople.org.uk.

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