Hope turns to despair for April searchers

Private prayers for April Jones were being said last night as the desperate search for the schoolgirl continued.

Hope turned to despair as prime suspect Mark Bridger was arrested for murder and the prospect of finding April alive receded.

Officers were last night granted a further 24 hours to question the 46-year-old over the five-year-old’s disappearance. It means police have until 3.30pm today to quiz him further before they either have to charge or release him.