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April search areas completed on Friday

The search for the missing schoolgirl has been one of the largest in UK police history. Credit: PA

Specialist officers from Dyfed-Powys Police, along with others from other forces, have been searching the area in and around Machynlleth since the beginning of October.

The force says the search areas identified during the course of the investigation were completed on Friday.

47-year-old Mark Bridger has been charged with murder, abduction and intending to pervert the course of justice.

He denies all the charges.

Search for April Jones ends

April Jones has been missing since 1 October last year. Credit: Family photograph

Dyfed-Powys Police says the search for missing Machynlleth schoolgirl April Jones has finished.

Last month, the force said that searches of specific areas of land it identified would soon completed, with a reactive team in place available to respond to any new information.

Read More: April Jones' family and friends mark her sixth birthday

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'A chance to celebrate and remember April Jones'

The Machynlleth community has turned out to celebrate and remember April Jones on her sixth birthday.

Reverend Kathleen Rogers told ITV Cymru Wales: "April's parents want this to be a celebration of her birthday. She's not here with us - but it is a celebration."

April's mother Coral has adorned the Bryn-y-Gog estate with pink bows and banners - April's favourite colour - for her daughter's special day.

Tonight balloons will be released into the sky with messages for April - as our correspondent Carole Green reports.

Pink ribbons for April Jones on her sixth birthday

The family of April Jones have paid tribute to her on her sixth birthday with a host of pink ribbons and banners - April's favourite colour.

Later this evening they will release balloons into the sky from Machynlleth and have invited well-wishers across Wales to do the same.

April's mother Coral ties a pink bow to a tree outside the family home to mark her daughter's sixth birthday
April's family and the Machynlleth community are paying tribute to April with a host of colourful pink ribbons
The family will release balloons tonight for April and have invited well-wishers to do the same

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Search for April Jones nears end

The search for April Jones has been one of the largest in police history.

The search for missing Machynlleth schoolgirl April Jones is due to come to an end this month.

Dyfed-Powys Police said last week that searches of specific areas of land it has identified should be completed by the end of April.

A reactive team of specialist officers will stay in the town to respond to any new information that is received.

Read More: April Jones search set to end

Balloons for missing April Jones' birthday

April Jones
April Jones was last seen near her home on 1 October 2012. Credit: Family photograph

Friends and family of April Jones will gather today to mark her sixth birthday.

The Machynlleth schoolgirl went missing in October last year.

Balloons will be released this evening on Bryn-y-Gog Green.

Her family are asking people to put a tag on their balloons saying where they are from and sending a message to April.

April Jones search fund tops £60,000

The money is being used to support the search for missing April Credit: Family/Dyfed Powys Police

A fund set up to support the search for missing Machynlleth schoolgirl April Jones has reached almost £61,000 so far.

Nine trustees have been appointed to administer the fund.

The five-year-old hasn't been seen since October 1.

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