THE heartbroken father of two young children killed by their mother in Turkey was last night locked in a legal battle to bring their bodies back to Hampshire.

Justin Mellersh is now appealing for the British Government to put pressure on the Turkish authorities to reverse a local decision that little Yaanis, eight, and six-year-old Mira should be buried there.

He wants to bring their bodies back to the New Forest, where his parents Nick and Jeanie live, in Minstead, but the local public prosecutor in Soke ruled yesterday the children should stay with their mother Elke’s family in Turkey.

She is believed to have killed them and committed suicide last Friday, two years after abducting the youngsters.

Justin said: “I’ve still not seen my children since they were abducted.

“My children were absolutely everything to me. They were very beautiful.

“I can’t even say goodbye.

“I think it’s very important the British Government gets involved at this point at a very high level. I would like there to be pressure put on the Turkish government to stop the burial.

“If that’s possible then that would be my urgent aim, so that I can see my children again and lay them to rest in Minstead.”