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| April Jones: Family releases balloons on missing girl's sixth birthday | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The family of April Jones, who has been missing for more than six months, have marked her sixth birthday by releasing hundreds of balloons near her home. | |
| A massive police search has taken place for April since she disappeared from her estate in Machynlleth, Powys. | A massive police search has taken place for April since she disappeared from her estate in Machynlleth, Powys. |
| Her family invited the community to Bryn y Gog green, where she used to play, to mark her birthday on Thursday. | |
| Mark Bridger, 47, is due to stand trial later this month for the abduction and murder of April, which he denies. | Mark Bridger, 47, is due to stand trial later this month for the abduction and murder of April, which he denies. |
| April's family also baked a birthday cake and decorated it with her name. Her parents, Coral and Paul, were pictured with it along with other members of their family at the balloon release. | |
| Before the balloons were released, town and county councillor Michael Williams said the Jones family wanted people to join the birthday commemoration "as a show of solidarity". | |
| "April was always full of life and happy, playing with her friends and cycling here around the estate," he said. | "April was always full of life and happy, playing with her friends and cycling here around the estate," he said. |
| "The feeling is to celebrate the little girl's birthday. There's still solidarity, people are still together and absolutely behind the family." | |
| Mr Williams said he regularly visited April's parents, Coral and Paul, and was full of admiration for them. | Mr Williams said he regularly visited April's parents, Coral and Paul, and was full of admiration for them. |
| "It's still very, very difficult for them but they're a huge inspiration to us actually, the way they're coping and handling this hugely tragic event." | "It's still very, very difficult for them but they're a huge inspiration to us actually, the way they're coping and handling this hugely tragic event." |
| He said there continued to be huge support for them from the community and people further afield. | He said there continued to be huge support for them from the community and people further afield. |
| A seat made by inmates from Shrewsbury prison was recently placed at Bryn y Gog green. | A seat made by inmates from Shrewsbury prison was recently placed at Bryn y Gog green. |
| Police search | Police search |
| April's disappearance on 1 October led to a massive police search operation in and around Machynlleth, and over terrain including mountains, gorges, streams and waterfalls. | April's disappearance on 1 October led to a massive police search operation in and around Machynlleth, and over terrain including mountains, gorges, streams and waterfalls. |
| An area of more than 60 sq km was searched and there were more than 300 specific search areas. | An area of more than 60 sq km was searched and there were more than 300 specific search areas. |
| The search is expected to finish at the end of this month, police have said. | The search is expected to finish at the end of this month, police have said. |
| Officers said in March they would search "specific areas of land with a view to all search areas identified being completed by the end of April". | Officers said in March they would search "specific areas of land with a view to all search areas identified being completed by the end of April". |
| Mark Bridger, 47, denies abducting and murdering April as well as intending to pervert the course of justice. | Mark Bridger, 47, denies abducting and murdering April as well as intending to pervert the course of justice. |
| He is due to stand trial at Mold Crown Court on 29 April. | He is due to stand trial at Mold Crown Court on 29 April. |