Prayers will be said and candles lit for the safe return of five-year-old April Jones at a special service in Machynllech this evening.

Reverend Kathleen Rogers will begin a vigil service at St Peter's Church in Penrallt Street, at 6pm, for anyone who wants to pray for the missing schoolgirl and her family.

The church opened early this morning for people to say prayers and light candles at a prayer station for April and to write in a book of hope.

Other churches in the Diocese of Bangor - including Bangor Cathedral - have also set up prayer stations and opened books for people to express their thoughts.

Priest-in-Charge, Kathleen Rogers, who helped out in the search for April last night and has spent the day offering pastoral support at her school and at the leisure centre, said, ''As a community we are facing an awful time and are in a very bad place. We need time to collect our thoughts and to place April, her family and ourselves in God's hands.

''I hope this very simple service tonight will be a time of prayer and solace. Everyone is welcome to come when they can.''