Prayers for missing Daniel

Reverend Irene Knowles lit a candle of hope for Daniel

The family of a missing seven-year-old boy said they were clinging to "hope" as a special church prayer was said for the youngster.

Daniel Entwistle disappeared on Saturday 3 May shortly after leaving his home in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

A red bicycle believed to belong to the little boy was found near a raised wall alongside the tidal river Yare.

Police fear Daniel fell into the river while playing and was drowned - although they have not ruled out the possibility that he was abducted.

The search for Daniel

Aerial view of key locations

Daniel's step-grandfather, Keith Dutton, said as he attended a church service near the family home on Sunday: "We are prepared for the worst although we must not lose hope.

"The family are grabbing on to that iron bar of hope."

Vicar Irene Knowles said a special prayer and lit a candle for Daniel at the start of a service in St James church - which is a few hundred yards from where Daniel's parents, David, 41 and Paula, 30, live.

"Our thoughts turn to Paula, a mother, and Dave, a father, here in Great Yarmouth desperately wondering what has become of their son Daniel.

Keith Dutton reads out a message during the service

"We think of the whole family, friends and community."

She told her congregation: "As we light this candle of hope help us to focus on Daniel and pray that wherever he is Daniel may know how much he is loved by you Lord and loved by his family and friends."

As she spoke coastguards were scouring local beaches with four wheel drive vehicles and a helicopter in the hope of finding a trace of the missing youngster.

On Saturday, Daniel's parents and a group of about 12 teenage volunteers helped police distribute leaflets seeking information around the estate where Daniel lives and in the area where the bicycle was found.

The leaflets showed a photograph of Daniel and of the bicycle.