THE annual carol service in memory of missing people will be held on Thursday, December 18.

The service will be held in York's St Michael le Belfrey and hosted by the charity Missing People, and will invite the families of people from around the Yorkshire area to visit and remember their missing loved ones.

Peter Lawrence, father of missing Claudia Lawrence, is the family representative for the charity in the north of England, and will be attending.

He said: "It is every family’s worst nightmare when something like this happens.

"I hope this carol service will be an opportunity for the city of York to come together and remember those who aren’t with us, and I encourage anyone who is interested in supporting the work of the charity to attend."

The service helps support those with someone missing by bringing the community together at what is considered a difficult time of year, with music provided by The Vale of York Voices and Rock Choir.

Jo Youle, chief executive of Missing People, said: "We know that Christmas is a particularly hard time for people searching for their loved ones.

"The limbo of having someone missing and not knowing whether they are safe is even harder at a time when families are coming together to celebrate the festive season. Families with someone missing tell us that having the public attend events like this offers them comfort and hope."

To book a ticket, phone 0800 6477466 or go to missingpeople.org.uk/localcarols