Police given extra 24 hours to question Bridger

Police have been given another 24 hours to question murder suspect Mark Bridger.

Magistrates approved the extension to questioning after Bridger was arrested on suspicion of five-year-old April Jones who went missing from near her home at Bryn-y-Gog, Machynlleth on Monday evening.

Tonight, police said they remained committed to "find April", although the news earlier today that police had arrested Bridger on suspected murder was a body-blow to April's parents, family, friends and the community a sa whole five days after she was abducted.

Speaking tonight, Supertintendant Ian John of Dyfed-Powys Police thanked the community and people from throughout the country for their support. He said two women from Newport in South Wales had turned up with food from money raised by their community. Other townspeople from Machynlleth had arrived this morning with food for the emergency service personnel and mountain rescue volunteers.

Teams of specialist police remain searching for April in the Machynlleth area as well as 150 volunteer moutain rescue personnel from throughout the UK.

Meanwhile, the headteacher of Machynlleth Primary School, Gwenfair Glyn, said the week had been "the hardest in the school's history."

"The whole school, pupils, staff and parents are desperately worried by today’s news but we are still clinging to hope that April will be returned to us. As more time goes on we are becoming increasingly concerned for her safety but we refuse to give up hope and are praying that April is alive," she said.

"This week has been the hardest in the school’s history, an emotional roller-coaster but everyone has rallied around and provided tremendous support for the school and its community and we are very grateful for that. Our thoughts are with April’s family and friends at this desperately worrying time and we will give them whatever help and comfort they need."