Search for missing April Jones to continue overnight despite weather

Police and rescue teams will continue to search through the night for missing five-year-old April Jones, battling heavy rain and challenging terrain.

After searching in vain for almost 72 hours, Dyfed Powys Police and a team of mountain rescue experts, dog handlers and the local marine unit will work overnight to try to find the missing child.

In a press conference tonight, Superintendent Ian John said of April's family: "I'm sure we are all feeling for them at this terrible time."

He added: "That's why we are here tonight in the pouring rain in Machynlleth".

Supt John said the force had received more than 2,500 calls following its appeal for information. Supt John said police forces from across the UK are helping to process each of them.

He said the force had been "heartened" by the number of calls they had received. "It shows the public care," he said.

In addition, more than 400 local people have given details of where they live and their specialist knowledge of the area, he added.

Hundreds of volunteers came out in force today to try to assist the search effort.

Police and mountain rescue teams thanked the public and volunteers for their help, with mountain rescue leaders telling BBC News: "They're doing a fantastic job supporting us".

Meanwhile police were today granted an extra 36 hours to question Mark Bridger, a local man arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of abduction.

Police have until just before 5pm on Friday before they either charge, release or apply for a further warrant of detention.

At a press conference this morning Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan said: "We will be continuing to piece together his movements during the relevant times and looking to overlay what we glean from his interviews, witness accounts and sightings."

He added: "While there is a huge visible presence of police officers and search teams, there is also a significant team of officers working around the clock behind the scenes, assisting in developing that picture so we can map out to the best of our ability his movements.

"This includes a vast amount of forensic analysis taking places which forms a crucial part of the investigation. However, forensics alone will not solve this.

"We need information from the public which may help us find April."

Mr Bevan again urged people to consider whether they had seen Mark Bridger between 6.30pm on Monday and 3.30pm on Tuesday.

Anyone who has had contact with him between these times - be it face-to-face, via text message, telephone or social media - should contact police, he added.

"We also need information regarding the movements of the blue Land Rover Discovery registration L503 MEP between Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon," he said.

April's family today urged people to wear a pink ribbon to show solidarity with the search. Pink, April's godmother explained, is April's favourite colour.

April was last seen getting into a vehicle at around 7pm on Monday. She had been playing with a friend on the estate where she lives, in Machynlleth.

It emerged last night that April suffers from cerebral palsy and needs medication.

Her family said the five-year-old requires daily medication for the condition, without which she would be in pain.

• UPDATE Day 4: Help needed to find missing cerebral palsy sufferer April Jones

• Police granted more time to question April Jones suspect Mark Bridger

• Missing April Jones: Machynlleth 'traumatised and invaded' says local

Anyone with information is urged to call 101. Alternatively, Dyfed Powys Police have issued a number for people who might have details about April: 0300 2000 333.