April parents hail public's support

The parents of missing five-year-old April Jones have thanked the public for their support one month on from the youngster's sudden disappearance.

In a statement released four weeks to the day after the schoolgirl was abducted from the quiet market town of Machynlleth in mid Wales, Coral and Paul Jones also described how they were "overwhelmed" by the amount of resources being used to find their "beautiful daughter".

They said: "It is four weeks since April was taken from us, as a family we are obviously devastated and our lives have been torn apart.

"Since October 1 we have received messages, flowers and cards from across not only the UK but the world and we have taken comfort knowing that people are thinking of April and us. Thank you for all your kind words and sentiments."

The statement, released by Dyfed Powys Police, continued: "We have been continually updated about the investigation and the search for April.

"We are overwhelmed by the massive amount of resources being used and we are extremely grateful that so many search teams are still out there, every day, looking for our beautiful daughter. We have been supported by our family, friends and neighbours over the past four weeks and it has been their love and support that has helped us get through each day."

Police are continuing their painstaking search for the missing five-year-old, who was last seen getting into a vehicle near her home.

More than 40,000 man hours spent meticulously hunting for the missing girl have so far uncovered no trace of her and more than 150 expert searchers still scour 60 square kilometres of rugged tree-covered terrain around the town every day. Mountains, derelict mines, potholes, lakes, the River Dyfi and the town itself fall within more than 300 search areas.

Every five days search teams are stood down and replaced by an equal number of freshly-rested experts eager to start work.

Dyfed Powys Police continue to co-ordinate the massive operation and have vowed to search on into 2013 if necessary.