Prayers offered for missing chef

Miss Lawrence, 35, was last seen 11 days ago near her home on Heworth Road, in York, and police fear she has come to harm after meeting up with someone she knows.

During a service at York Minster, where Miss Lawrence's father, Peter, is a volunteer steward, prayers were said for the chef and her family - Mr Lawrence, her mother Joan and her older sister Ali.

Leading the prayers during the Holy Communion service, the Reverend Canon Glyn Webster, chancellor of the Minster, said: "We pray for the safety and well-being of Claudia Lawrence.

"As we pray for her, so we pray for her family, for Peter, for Joan, for Ali, her family and many friends, during this time of waiting and of great anxiety."

Speaking after the service, which was not attended by Miss Lawrence's family, Canon Webster said Mr Lawrence had helped at a church concert last night.

Speaking about the disappearance of Miss Lawrence, he added: "It seems the whole city is pulling behind Peter, Joan and their family, in terms of concern, compassion and praying for them. While there's no news, there's still hope.

"We're hoping and praying for a good outcome for Claudia and her family.

"The love and the prayers of the whole Minster community go out to them."

Prayers were also being said at Holy Trinity Church, in Heworth, York, where Miss Lawrence lives, and in Malton, Norton and Old Malton where her mother Joan attends church.