THIRTY lanterns bearing notes of hope will be lit behind the skate park at Stratford Park, Stroud at 6pm on Sunday as part of a vigil for April Jones.


Organiser Samantha Hudson, a mother-of-one from Rodborough, said: "'I have no connection to April but this is an act of compassion.
 

"Her parents pain must be unbearable. Machynlleth is a quiet town and places like this are so few, and far between in our hectic world.


"The lanterns will hopefully send a message of respect. A message that innocence has been taken brutally."


Anyone can write notes and Samantha is also hoping that children will write some.


"Credit must be given to James and Owen for the posters and to Tesco for the donation for the lanterns," she added.
 

April, five, went missing from Machynlleth in mid-Wales on October 1. Local man Mark Bridger, 46, has been charged with her murder, child abduction and attempting to pervert the course of justice.


April's body has not been recovered.