A girl of five has gone missing with her guardian sparking a massive hunt across two continents.

Nigerian Liti Sake disappeared from a house in Worthing on Friday, 48 hours after social services teams were called in by neighbours worried at the sound of her screams.

Detectives believe bob-haired Liti had been brought to Britain by her mother and left in the care of her aunt, Hamsetu Smy.

At a Press conference last night, detectives said welfare teams who visited the house on Wednesday spoke to Ms Smy, a woman in her mid-20s, but could find no trace of Liti.

When police returned on Friday afternoon, both had vanished.

Forensic teams sealed off the Victorian semi in Eriswell Road as a major hunt was launched.

Detectives were investigating the possibility the pair ran away together. But they were not ruling out abduction. They said concern was growing for Liti's safety.

Det Supt Martin Cheeseman, head of Sussex Police's child protection unit, said: "We are not discounting anything. We need to trace both Liti and anyone who might be with her or have information about her."

Sussex Police last night committed all of Worthing's police officers, their entire major crime branch and child protection specialists to the search.

They were talking to immigration officials and trying to trace any relatives Liti may have in Africa or Britain.

It is believed she has been in England for a number of weeks. She has also been called Swombi - which may be her real first name.

Det Chief Insp Tony O'Donnell, of Sussex Police's major crime branch, said social services officers who followed up the neighbours' concerns on Wednesday were told Liti was not at the flat.

He said: "Liti was not there but police spoke to Hamsetu Smy, who had custody of the child.

"She said the child was not at home but with a relative in Brighton.

"An arrangement was made for police to check on her welfare. However, Hamsetu has since gone missing.

"We are extremely concerned for Liti's welfare.

"We don't know the reason for her being in the country but we have certain leads and are following them.

"We are liaising with a number of agencies - very closely with social services but also with Nigerian agencies."

Police believe Liti's screaming may have been the result of "over-zealous chastisement", although they do not think she sustained any injuries.

Neighbours described Liti yesterday as a "mystery child" who hardly ever left the house.

Many said they had never seen her playing outside.

Police said they were only aware of Liti and Smy living at the flat but were investigating the possibility that other adults have stayed there.

One neighbour described seeing a man at the flat.

Liti is described as slim with very dark skin, with hair in a wavy bob-style to her chin.

Hamsetu is stocky, about 5ft 5in, with black hair.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 60 70999.