Confirmation that bodies in fenland are Holly and Jessica

THE search for Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman came to a tragic end last night when detectives confirmed that two bodies found in remote fenland were those of the missing girls.

Police said they were "as certain as we possibly can be" the bodies found near the Lakenheath airbase close to Mildenhall, Suffolk, yesterday were the 10-year-olds.

But Cambridgeshire Police's deputy chief constable Keith Hoddy said it could be some days before they are formally identified.

Speaking at St Andrew's Church, in the Cambridgeshire town of Soham, from where the two girls disappeared on August 4, Mr Hoddy said the youngsters' parents had been told the sad news.

Two people, 28-year-old school caretaker Ian Huntley and his teaching assistant girlfriend, Maxine Carr, 25, were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of murdering the two girls.

After paying tribute to the huge numbers of police officers and other personnel involved in the hunt for the youngsters, Mr Hoddy added: "We, like the families, refused to give up hope that the girls would be found alive and well. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Holly's parents and brother and Jessica's parents and sisters at this ghastly time."

Statements from the youngsters' parents thanked everyone involved in the hunt for their daughters.

Sharon and Leslie Chapman said: "We would like to thank everybody for their kindness and support during this very tense and traumatic time, especially family, friends and the family liaison officers. While we appreciate your support and all your assistance at this very trying time we would like, as a family, for you to respect our privacy and allow us some time alone."

Nicola and Kevin Wells said: "Although still numb after losing our gorgeous daughter Holly, please accept our heartfelt thanks for everyone's help and support throughout this traumatic fortnight."

Earlier, police announced the two bodies found at the fenland nature reserve near RAF Lakenheath were being taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

In Lakenheath itself, a steady trickle of people left bouquets near the beauty spot where the two bodies were discovered. Home Office pathologist Dr Nat Cary attended the scene yesterday afternoon.

Officers have already found "items of major interest" at the Soham College the town's secondary school where Mr Huntley worked though police would not say what they were. Searches were also expected at the home of Kevin and Lynda Huntley, Ian Huntley's parents, in the village of Littleport.

Huntley and Carr were still in custody last night after detectives were granted further time to question them. Huntley was arrested on suspicion of murder and abduction while Carr is being detained on suspicion of murder.

Detectives said they were still working on other lines of inquiry in the fast-developing case.

Back-up has been drafted in from other forces to bolster police numbers.