The husbands of three women who are missing along with their nine children, last seen in Saudi Arabia, have issued an emotional appeal for their safe return.

Akhtar Iqbal, the husband of Sugra Dawood, who is feared to have fled to Syria with her two sisters and at least seven of the children, said "I miss you, and love you. I cannot live without you. Please, please call me so I know you are safe," as he appealed for them to come home.

UPDATE: FATHERS 'DISTRAUGHT' AS SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING BRADFORD FAMILY OF 12 FEARED TO HAVE TRAVELLED TO SYRIA

MOSQUES ORGANISATION CALLS FOR ANSWERS OVER 9 MISSING BRADFORD CHILDREN LAST SEEN IN SAUDI ARABIA

In the emotional press conference in Bradford, Mohammed Shoaib told his wife Khadija Dawood: "We had a perfect relationship, we had a lovely family. Please contact me whenever you want. Please come back."

Solicitor Balaal Khan, who is acting for the family, told the press conference at The Bradford Hotel in Hall Ings that police and the Turkish authorities were working 24 hours around the clock to resolve the matter.

Mr Khan, responding to questions from journalists about whether the family had been "indoctrinated", said there had been "no indication" that the family had anything planned other than a trip to Saudi Arabia.

"Family members are crying, saying the trip would not have taken place had they known this would happen."

Mr Khan was asked whether members of the extended family had been under police surveillance. He said it was a matter for the police.

He said that the family members were "law abiding citizens" who had not been in trouble before.

Mr Khan was asked about reports that a brother of the sisters was in Syria fighting for extremists. He suggested that this was under investigation by police.

He later suggested that the brother who is reportedly in Syria - who has not been named - was being investigated by police before the disappearance of the sisters and their children.

Police have not commented.

Mr Khan said police had not searched the family homes.

Asked if the family feared that the women had gone to Syria to join Islamic State, Mr Khan confirmed that the women's husbands were worried about this possibility.

He added: "The family are non-political and follow the moderate version of Islam. They are normal people."

The North East Counter-Terrorism Unit, based at Leeds, has confirmed its officers are investigating.

West Yorkshire Police officers are working with authorities in Turkey in an attempt to find the family.

Asian Image:
Sugra Dawood and her five children - Junaid Ahmed Iqbal, 15, Ibrahim Iqbal, 14, Zaynab Iqbal, 8, Mariya Iqbal, 5, and Ismaeel Iqbal, 3.

Asian Image:
Khadija Dawood and her children Muhammad Haseeb, 3, and Maryam Siddiqui, 7

Asian Image:
Journalists gathered during the press conference at the Bradford Hotel