A family of 12 is feared to have travelled to Syria after going missing in Istanbul, Turkey, it has been reported.

The family from Luton ranges in ages from a one-year-old baby to a 75-year-old grandfather.

Bedfordshire Police said that the family had not been seen since 17 May. They flew from London Heathrow to their home country of Bangladesh on 10 April, and returned to Istanbul on 11 May.

The family had been due back in Heathrow on 14 May, but did not return, police said.

While the BBC reported that there is no confirmation yet that the family has entered Syria, relatives in the UK said they were "devastated" and that the disappearance was "out of character".

In a statement, Bedfordshire Police said: "There is a suggestion that the family may have gone to Syria."

Mohammed Abil Kashem Saker, 31 (Bedfordshire Police)

Officers identified the family as Muhammed Abdul Mannan, 75, and his wife Minera Khatun, 53, their daughter Rajia Khanom, 21, and sons Mohammed Zayd Hussain, 25, Mohammed Toufique Hussain, 19, Mohammed Abil Kashem Saker, 31, and his wife Sheida Khanam, 27, and Mohammed Saleh Hussain, 26, and his wife Roshanara Begum, 24, along with three children, aged between one and 11.

The family's relatives are believed to be working with the police on their investigation into the disappearance, and officers have visited at least one home linked to the 12 missing.

Mohammed Zayd Hussain, 25 (Bedfordshire Police)

The relatives released a statement through Bedfordshire Police which read: "We are devastated by the disappearance of these 12 and are very concerned for their safety.

"This is completely out of character and we are very worried of the danger they may now be in.

"Muhammed Abdul Mannan is elderly and both he and Minera Khatun have health issues (reported by the BBC to be diabetes and cancer respectively).

Mohammed Toufique Hussain, 19 (Bedfordshire Police)

"This just does not make any sense. We can only think they have been tricked into going there, it is no place for elderly or young people.