More time to quiz April suspect (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)
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More time to quiz April suspect
10:28pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013
Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan holding up a photo of Mark Bridger who has been arrested during the probe into the abduction of April Jones
Detectives have been given an extra 12 hours to question abduction suspect Mark Bridger about the disappearance of five-year-old April Jones.
The 46 year old has been interviewed by detectives twice since his arrest on Tuesday afternoon.
Despite a desperate plea for information from April's mother, Coral Jones, and an extensive search of Powys's rugged terrain, no trace has been found of the youngster since she went missing from the mid-Wales town of Machynlleth two days ago.
Dyfed Powys Police confirmed that April has cerebral palsy.
A police spokesman said: "We have been granted an extra 12 hours to extend the custody time limit. This will expire tomorrow morning, when consideration will be given as to whether to apply to a court for a warrant of further detention."
Former soldier Mr Bridger was picked up by officers while on foot - with police later confirming he was wearing camouflage-style clothing and that his blue L Reg Land Rover had been retrieved from a repair garage. Since then, officers have vowed to leave no stone unturned as they scour the area around the market town of Machynlleth - which top cops have described its geography as a "hostile environment".
Superintendent Ian John, of Dyfed Powys Police, said the scale of the investigation was "unprecedented".
He said: "The search operation is continuing to grow and grow at quite a pace. We've got over 100 mountain rescue experts, 100 police-trained search officers, 20 dog-handlers, two vessels to search the river, a team of kayakers, as well as the Dyfed Powys Police marine unit."
Earlier, April's mother begged for help in finding her daughter as she made an emotional public appeal.
Ms Jones sobbed as she said: "There must be someone out there who knows where she is and can help the police find her. We are desperate for any news. April is only five years old. Please, please, help find her."
