Missing girls were 'taught internet safety'

Joy Pederson: "Holly made me a lovely card"

Missing 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman were taught how to use the internet safely, according to their school teacher.

Joy Pederson revealed: "Within the school we use a walled site people cannot get into and we have a set of internet rules.

"We do talk about not using phone numbers or addresses."

Police remain convinced the girls were snatched and that they are still alive but being held against their will.

We get them to think about minimising risks, telling people where you are, not going off on your own, not wandering off in remote areas

Holly and Jessica's Teacher Joy Pederson

But Mrs Pederson, who says she has known Holly and Jessica since they started school, said they were "very aware" of "how to keep themselves safe".

Fighting back tears, she continued: "As a class teacher, I cover personal safety.

"They are taught how to say 'No', self-awareness and self-confidence.

"We get them to think about minimising risks, telling people where you are, not going off on your own, not wandering off in remote areas."

Holiday shock

The 38-year-old, who has taught for 16 years in the girls' home town of Soham in Cambridgeshire, only discovered they were missing on Friday - five days after they disappeared.

She had been on holiday on the remote Italian island of Ischia.

Holly and Jessica have been missing for a week

Her husband, David, read news of the girls in British newspapers in the airport lounge at Naples as they prepared to return to their home in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

"He showed it to me and I got so upset he had to take it away again," Mrs Pederson revealed.

"I just dissolved."

The couple's flight was delayed for about 12 hours.

Close community

But Mrs Pederson said the "terrible shock" had meant the time passed "in a blur".

She was still struggling to come to terms with the disappearance, the teacher added.

Holly signed her card with six kisses

"You just cannot believe it happened to people you know and in a close community like this."

Mrs Pederson continued: "Holly made me a lovely card at the end of term."

Clutching the card, which has "I'll miss you" in large letters on the front, the teacher revealed she could no longer look at it without bursting into tears.

"It is something I will treasure."

"It is very precious."