April Jones: Prayers Held Four Weeks On

Private prayers have been held in Machynlleth in mid Wales to mark four weeks since the disappearance of schoolgirl April Jones.

The five-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer was abducted on October 1. Police are continuing to look for her, with 150 experts taking part in the hunt.

So far more than 40,000 man-hours have been spent in trying to find April.

More than 300 areas have been searched, including mountains, caves, derelict mines and lakes around the town.

Dyfed Powys Police say they will continue to look for April into the New Year if need be.

She had been playing on her bike with friends on the evening of her disappearance. She was last seen getting into a car.

Mark Bridger, 46, was arrested the day after and later charged with abduction and murder.

The local community has previously undertaken symbolic gestures of solidarity to mark April's disappearance, including tying pink ribbons around the town and a procession to the church from the family home.

Last week , Machynlleth's historic town clock was lit up in pink to mark the tragic disappearance.

In nearby Carmarthen, the county hall building was to be lit up in a similar way.

"(We) feel quite helpless but want to demonstrate openly that our thoughts and prayers are with April's family and the community of Machynlleth," said council leader Kevin Madge.