Parents Of April Jones Visit Killer's House

The parents of murdered Welsh schoolgirl April Jones have visited the house where her killer Mark Bridger once lived to see it being demolished.

Coral and Paul Jones told Sky News that having the house there had brought "so much heartache".

"It was a dreadful thing that happened here and if you go past it, it's a horrible reminder," Mrs Jones added.

The schoolgirl's body has never been found, but police found traces of her blood in the bathroom, hallway and living room of the house. Fragments of skull were also found in the fireplace.

April was five years old when she was abducted while playing near her home in Machynlleth, Wales, in October 2012.

Her disappearance sparked the largest search in UK policing history, and hundreds of people from the close-knit town spent days looking for the schoolgirl.

Bridger was arrested the day after April went missing.

In May 2013, the former slaughterhouse worker was given a whole life sentence after being found guilty of April's murder and abduction.

Bridger was renting a house in the secluded village of Ceinws, six miles from Machynlleth.

April's parents led the calls for the demolition of the building, writing on Facebook: "This is a huge weight off our minds.

"The loss of our beautiful daughter was bad enough, but the house is a constant reminder of the tragic events.

"Our family want to thank the Welsh Government for listening to us and for understanding our need to see the house demolished."

The Welsh Government purchased the house from the landlord in order to knock it down. No decision has been made about what will replace it.

Councillor Mike Williams, who is a friend of April's family and lives on the same estate, told Sky News: "It will in some way take away that feeling of undoubted evil that happened there.

"Its removal from the face of the earth will help the people of Ceinws and Machynlleth and help in some way for the wellbeing of all to move forward, but never ever forgetting that young child."