FOR the families of the missing, Christmas can be a heart-breaking and lonely time. Today, a church service dedicated to missing York woman Claudia Lawrence saw a community come together in hope to show their support for her devastated family. Joanna Morris reports.

PRECIOUS photographs from a cherished family album greeted those who gathered to remember Claudia Lawrence this weekend.

Photos: Joan Lawrence shares pictures from a family album packed with memories of daughter, Claudia

Childhood snaps and a beautiful smile beamed upon the congregation at Darlington’s All Saints Church throughout a special service dedicated to the missing York woman.

Led by the Reverend David Railton, the service spoke of hope and the power of light to vanquish even the most terrible darkness.

Claudia’s favourite songs echoed around the church her parents married in as her mother Joan listened to messages of hope in honour of her much loved-daughter, missing now for more than six years.

Claudia’s devoted mother, who grew up in the town, thanked the people of Darlington for their unwavering support in the face of the family’s unimaginable ordeal.

She said: “When this nightmare started, we really were plunged into a dark hole.

“It is the sort of thing that happens to others, not to you.

“Little could I imagine, six years down the line that I would still get up every morning and wonder where Claudia is and what she is doing.

“I can’t begin to tell you how much support we’ve had from our friends and the people of Darlington, it has been tremendous.”

She added: “Christmas is coming and that is a very difficult time for me and others in my position.

“Sometimes when I hear a carol or go to church, it cuts me in two, there is no escaping it.

“We long for some sort of closure or news, it never goes away.”

In a missive read by The Northern Echo’s editor Peter Barron, the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, urged those present to remember all missing children in their prayers.

He said: “Join me in prayer for all missing children, that they may be safe and free from fear and anxiety.”

Another prayer came from Kate McCann, mother of missing Madeleine McCann.

She said: “God, please help us to find Claudia and Madeleine.

“Let those who have them stay calm and treat them well and give them a way out.”

A moving performance from Darlington singer Hayley McKay followed an address from Rev Railton who spoke of the power of hope, saying: “We have come together not in despair but in hope, to remember not in darkness but in light.“

Anyone with information about the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence should contact police on non-emergency number 101.