We just wanted to help, say lookalikes

For the two young actresses at the centre of today’s reconstruction it was a responsibility for which no amount of drama training could have prepared them.

At the ages of just nine and 10 they were asked to recreate Holly and Jessica’s last known movements before police believe they were abducted, and to do it in front of the world’s media.

The girls, whose parents have asked that they be identified only by their first names, admitted it was a daunting prospect but said they hoped that it might help to find the missing friends.

Megan, 10, who played tomboy Jessica Chapman, said: “It was a bit scary sometimes but if it helps get the two girls to be found safe and well I will do anything I can.”

Both Megan and Daniella, nine, who played Holly Wells, were clearly shaken by the experience, but seemed almost elated that it was over and that they could have played a part in helping Holly and Jessica.

Officers were struck by their resemblance to the missing schoolgirls after appealing to a Cambridge-based drama agency for help in staging the reconstruction.

The girls were asked if they would help and were then taken to Cambridgeshire Police’s headquarters in Huntingdon and fitted with clothes which would match the outfits Jessica and Holly were last seen wearing.

Daniella’s naturally wavy blonde hair was chemically straightened to make her look more like Holly, while Megan had a fringe cut into her bob and a braid put in to match Jessica’s.

The Manchester United shirts they donned made them immediately recognisable as the girls whose picture now hangs in virtually every window in Soham, on huge reward posters.

Daniella said both she and Megan, who had not met before this week, were nervous before they began the walk but started talking to each other and chatting.

“I was really nervous before I started, I had butterflies in my stomach,” she said.

“As we got to the end I was just really glad it was nearly over as I did think it was a bit scary.”

The pair, who are both local, said they had seen the news coverage of the disappearance and talked about it with their parents, saying they had discussed how important it was to make sure they were always safe.

Megan said: “We have talked about it and this has made me think about it all and now I just hope it might help the two girls.

“I feel like I have made a difference and that I have tried to help.”