Family who disappeared turn up safe at campsite

The hunt for a family who disappeared two weeks ago ended yesterday when the father turned up at a police station in south-west England.

The hunt for a family who disappeared two weeks ago ended yesterday when the father turned up at a police station in south-west England.

South Wales police had said they were "greatly concerned" for David Fundell, his wife Susan and four children after they left their Cardiff home without taking any belongings. Their mobile telephones had not been used and there was no evidence they had taken money.

But yesterday lunchtime, as police were planning to issue an appeal through Interpol, Mr Fundell, 57, turned up at a station in south-west England insisting his family was safe but did not plan to return to Cardiff.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Kemp of South Wales Police said Mr Fundell, his 41-year-old wife and children Joanna, 17, Jonathan, nine, and twins Harry and Francesca, six, had been staying at a campsite.

The father, who is unemployed, told the officer he did not want anyone to know where the family were. It is believed they may have had financial difficulties, possibly linked to the failure of Mr Fundell's office business.

The family was reported missing to police on 5 July but the children had not been to school or college since 29 June.

Detectives investigating the case arrested a 57-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman from Cardiff on suspicion of neglect. Four children were taken into protective custody.