Four-year-old girl and mum missing, say police

Joana and her daughter Aliannah were last seen at their home in Luton in February

Police are searching for a four-year-old girl and her mother who have been reported missing.

Joana, 39, and her daughter Aliannah, four, were last seen at their home in Luton in February.

Bedfordshire Police, which has not issued a surname, say they were last heard from earlier this month and were reported missing on Wednesday.

They added that officers were "concerned for their welfare" and urged the public not to speculate about the case.

Joana is described as black, of slim build and about 5ft 9in (1.75m) tall. She has dark, shoulder length hair, often worn in a ponytail.

Aliannah is described as black, slim, with black Afro-style hair, often braided.

Police said they were known to have links to the Handsworth area of Birmingham.

A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: "The best way to help locate Joana and Aliannah is to share this appeal and report any sightings immediately."