YEARS of campaigning by the father of missing Claudia Lawrence culminates with 'Claudia's Law' legislation being made available today.

Claudia went missing from York ten years ago and her family encountered difficulties dealing with her financial and practical affairs.

Claudia's law creates a new legal status of 'guardian of the affairs of a missing person', allowing families to act in the best interests of the missing person if they have been gone for 90 days or longer.

Claudia's father, Peter, wants to encourage families to engage with the charity Missing People for guidance in applying to the High Court for guardianship.

Martin Dales, Mr Lawrence’s spokesman thanked Missing People and parliamentarians such as Thirsk MP Kevin Hollinrake and York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, along with peers, ministers and officials who 'worked tirelessly' for the legislation.

He added: “Peter has to be admired for his strength and fortitude in coping with the stresses and strains of getting brand new legislation onto the statute books amidst him, the family and friends emotional pain in waiting all these ten and a half years for news of her whereabouts. It has been a long journey and will continue until Claudia is found but today is a cause for celebration amidst the pain and sadness.”