April Jones' parents speak about pain of losing daughter as police suspend search over Christmas

April Jones (PA)

The parents of missing April Jones spoke today of their pain at realising they will never see their daughter alive again.

More than 10 weeks after the schoolgirl was snatched from the estate where she lived, Coral and Paul Jones gave an insight into the nightmare they continue to live.

Five-year-old April was last seen playing out on the Bryn-y-Gog estate at Machynlleth, mid Wales on October 1.

She had been allowed to play out late on her bike after getting a glowing school report.

Massive efforts to find her body somewhere in the rugged terrain around the close-knit mid Wales town where she lived continue unabated.

Superintendent Ian John vowed today that the search would continue on the same scale and with equal numbers into the new year.

The man heading the search efforts was speaking at a press conference in Machynlleth where he also announced the search would stop for two weeks during the festive break.

He also paid tribute to April's parents, saying: "The Jones family have shown great strength of character throughout their ordeal as they have come to terms with the fact that they will not see their daughter alive again.

"Showing great dignity and resilience they chose to maintain their privacy and chose to focus on their family and making sure they get through these tough times together."

PA