A British man arrested in Venezuela after allegedly being found with three suitcases of cocaine is wanted by Merseyside Police, the force said today.

Paul Makin, 31, was due to attend court at the beginning of the month but failed to attend, a police spokesman said.

He is currently in custody with his wife Laura after being arrested at Porlamar airport on the holiday island of Margarita.

Makin was due to attend Liverpool Crown Court on February 9 accused of carrying a machete and affray.

When he did not attend the trial judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

The couple were arrested and detained and their four children - twins Libby and Lucy, aged two, and Jack, eight and Megan, seven - taken into care.

The two older children attend Mersey Park Primary School in Birkenhead.

The chair of governors, councillor Brian Kenny, today said: "Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the allegation my main concern is for the welfare of the four children involved and the two attending our school.

"I want the children in good hands and to be looked after.

"I have had a discussion with our education department to make sure we are speaking to the Foreign Office about the children’s welfare.

"It is obviously a very traumatic situation for the children - the whole situation sounds really horrific."