THE father of missing Claudia Lawrence has spoken of his inner torture at not knowing what has happened to his daughter.

Solicitor Peter Lawrence was talking at the formal launch of a website dedicated to finding the 35- year-old York University chef who disappeared seven weeks ago.

Police are now treating the case as suspected murder and the Crimestoppers charity has put up a £10,000 reward for information.

Yesterday, her father said: “I very much believe that Claudia is still alive, but not knowing anything at all about her whereabouts is a most strange and dreadful feeling.”

He is concerned that no one has come forward in the wake of a sighting of a man and woman on Melrosegate bridge in York – on his daughter’s route to work – at 5.35am on March 19, the day she failed to turn up for work.

Mr Lawrence said: “My message is, because of the feeling we are all going through, will someone out there please respond to those sightings, either to say it was us and nothing to do with it or to say, anonymously to Crimestoppers if necessary, that person on the bridge was my neighbour, my workmate or whatever. Just relieve us of part of this dreadful feeling.”

The website, findclaudia.co.uk, contains images and a description of the chef, a message from her father and a prayer from the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu.

There is also a section where people can leave messages, a section containing latest news, a downloadable poster and links to police, Crimestoppers and media outlets.

In his message on the website, Mr Lawrence said: “It is every parents worst nightmare when something like this happens and the times the family are living through are indescribably difficult. We have been supported by people’s prayers and thoughts. If you can help us, we would be most grateful.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845-60-60-24-7 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.