April Jones: Search To Continue Into New Year

As police continue their search for the body of April Jones, her parents say their tragic loss does not get any easier to bear.

It has been 10 weeks since the five-year-old vanished near her home in Machynlleth, Powys.

A statement from her parents, Coral and Paul, said: "We understand that Christmas will be a particularly difficult time without April being amongst us, but as parents of Harley and Jazmin, we will obviously acknowledge the festive season as best we can.

"We realise that this is a big news story, but for us it is our life, and we are coming to terms with the fact that our baby girl has been taken from us."

Police say officers from all corners of the UK are helping in the search operation.

There are 16 search teams comprising of a leader and six officers, as well as twelve specially trained dogs.

They are involved in one of the largest search operations in police history.

Specialists have been searching rivers and the sea as well as mines and quarries.

Superintendent Ian John said: "We will keep looking until we are satisfied that we have exhausted all lines of inquiry.

"We are not putting an end date on the operation and we are not willing to speculate how long it will last.

"But we will say that we are committed to stay here until we can be sure that there are no more viable places to look for April's body.

"The investigation team will continue their work to uncover what happened that evening and to prepare for the trial."

Mark Bridger, 46, from Ceinws, near Machynlleth, has been charged with April's murder, child abduction and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

He remains in custody with a court appearance set for next month.