Carene and Shelby Crofts, 12 and 11, have been in Morocco since August after allegedly being abducted by their mother Trudy and taken to live with her partner's family.

Meanwhile their grandma, Rita Astbury, who has been the girls' carer for the last seven years, has been campaigning tirelessly for their return.

But now, for the first time in more than three months, Ms Astbury has spoken to her granddaughters on the phone.

Following a British Consolate welfare visit to check on the girls' welfare, Rita's phone rang – it was Carene.

The pair talked tearfully, telling each other how much they loved and missed each other.

Overwhelmed and relieved to hear the girls were safe and well, Rita said: "I knew the consolate were visiting and then the phone rang.

"It was them and they said: 'do you want to speak to the girls'.

"I nearly dropped the phone.

"It was Carene first and she said 'I love you millions and millions, when are we coming home?'

"Shelby said the same and I told her I loved her and I was desperate for her to come home.

"They said they had seen me on the TV via the internet and we had a laugh about that.

"They celebrated Shelby's birthday last week too and had a party.

"I'm just so relieved they're OK."

Ms Astbury, 52, of Milbourne Street, said she also faced the difficult task of talking to the girls about their mum Trudy Crofts.

Ms Crofts, 30, has been remanded in custody while she faces child abduction charges.

She has also been deemed to be in contempt of court as part of High Court proceedings.

A judge ordered her to sign a letter instructing the Moroccan family to return the girls to Britain and she refused.

But Ms Astbury said despite the charges she would arrange for the girls to see their mum as soon as they were back in the UK.

"They said 'will we see mum again', Rita said.

"I told them of course they would.

"Despite everything that's happened she is still their mother and my daughter."

The progress remains slow in negotiations to bring the girls home.

Police are currently in negotiations with their Moroccan counterparts and the Foreign and Commonwealth Officers are also in regular contact with the British Embassy in Morocco.

Rita is now hoping the phone call is a sign a deal is close.

"Now I just want them to come home," she said. "We've got our fingers crossed."

Another phone call is expected tomorrow to allow Carene and Shelby to speak to their friends.