It's been a week since 5-year-old April Jones went missing near her home in Machynlleth, Wales, as Mark Bridger today appeared in court charged with her murder.

The 46-year-old former lifeguard was arrested the day after April disappearance, and was reported to be in tears after he heard the charges of murder, abduction and perverting the course of justice made against him in Aberystwyth magistrate's court.

District Crown Prosecutor Iwan Jenkins stated beforehand:

"Having carried out a detailed review of the evidence provided so far by Dyfed-Powys Police, my conclusion is that there is sufficient evidence to charge Mark Bridger with the murder of April Jones and that it is in the public interest to do so."

"I have also concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge the defendant with attempting to pervert the course of justice and child abduction. Accordingly, I have authorised Dyfed-Powys Police to charge him with these offences and he will appear here at Aberystwyth Magistrates' Court on Monday morning."

Mr Bridger will next appear at Caenarfon crown court on Wednesday. Though Mr Bridger is to be charged with April's murder, a body has not been found. Mountain resuce search efforts have been scaled back, with 100 police officers in 18 specialist police search teams are still scouring the countryside for the schoolgirl.

In a show of solidarity with the missing girl and her family, around 1,000 people attended a special church service at St Peters Church in Machynlleth over the weekend.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner