CLAUDIA Lawrence's father has told how he still misses her smiles, laughter and company - six years after she went missing.

Peter Lawrence, speaking at a press conference in York to mark the sixth anniversary of the disappearance of the 35-year-old University of York chef, said he just wanted to be able to bury his daughter.

He said it was 'galling' to know there were 'people out there' who knew what had happened to Claudia but still hadn't come forward to police.

"We have had six years without her company, without her chat, her smiles and her laugh, meeting her for a drink, days out and meals out," he said.

"It's terrible. I just miss that companionship, that love, so much, that it just really hurts so much."

He said he was asking people to look at their conscience and see what the continuing mystery over her disappearance was doing to the family.

"It is a lot to bear and six years on and it does not get any better," he said.

"All we can hope is that we find out what happened to Claudia and, if she was murdered, as the police believe, then I want to be able to bury her."

He spoke of his hopes that Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, with his 'bulldog' attitude to people who hadn't come forward and helped the investigation, would help the family achieve its wishes.