Service held for missing girl April

Oct 7 2012

Hundreds of people have turned out to pay their respects as an emotional service took place for missing five-year-old April Jones.

A procession of more than 700 people walked slowly through the Welsh town of Machynlleth, as normal life came to a standstill.

Hundreds gathered at the Bryn-y-Gog estate from where April was abducted on Monday evening.

With crowds wearing pink ribbons symbolising the faith many still have that the girl remains alive, the procession moved in subdued silence through the town.

Roads along the route were closed off as the sombre gathering inched its way slowly to St Peter's Church at the heart of the mid Wales market town.

The schoolgirl's abduction has shaken the small mid Wales community to the core.

The service is seen as the start of a process aimed at healing the community.

Speaking before the ceremony, Reverend Kathleen Rogers said: "The realisation is coming on since yesterday when we heard murder - that has hit home."

Inside the church, Reverend Rogers addressed the congregation, as she offered prayers for April's parents Coral, 40, and Paul, 44, who did not attend the ceremony.

She said: "We cannot bring little April, our sweet and innocent little girl, home as we had hoped. But our hope has now been moved on to sure and certain hope that she is in the arms of Jesus."