Search for custody-battle child

Police in Wales yesterday stepped up the search for a six-year- old girl caught up in a custody battle who disappeared with her father at the weekend.

Wilfrid Hartnagel and his daughter Sharon, who was born in Wales, left their home at Llanidloes, Powys, shortly before the girl's mother, Ines Kottenhof, arrived from Germany to collect the little girl. Earlier this month Ms Kottenhof won a court order giving her custody. Mr Hartnagel telephoned the BBC in Cardiff saying he was still in Wales and that he intended to fight the custody order even if it meant going to prison. Police are not concerned for Sharon's safety but said that reports of sightings so far had proved fruitless.