Thousands join search for Kirsty

IN THE shadow of the Humber Bridge, more than 3,000 people yesterday searched for the missing police worker, Kirsty Carver, writes Andrew Buncombe.

In what is believed to have been the biggest-ever search of its kind, huge crowds backed up by teams of police and soldiers were dispatched to more than 100 locations in an effort to find her. Miss Carver, 22, a civilian computer operator with the Humberside Police in Hull, went missing more than a month ago. Yesterday detectives leading the search admitted they were more likely to be looking for a body.

Detective Superintendent Ian Dickinson said: "As time goes by the chances of finding her alive are diminishing."

Late in the afternoon one of the teams found some human bones, but they were old remains. No trace of Kirsty was discovered all day.

Kirsty's parents, Arthur, 42, and Vanessa, 41, were at the search. "I'd just like to thank everybody who's turned up today to help in any way to search for Kirsty," said Mrs Carver.

Police have had no information about Kirsty since she was last seen in the early hours of March 5. Her car, with the keys still in the ignition, was found in a country lane hours after she was last seen. Her bank account has not been touched.