Claudia Lawrence: Mum in 'utter shock' at new search

The mother of missing Claudia Lawrence has said she is in "utter shock" and "very, very churned up" about a new police search for her daughter.

A popular fishing spot near York is being searched by police investigating the suspected murder of Ms Lawrence.

The 35-year-old's disappearance has remained a mystery since she failed to turn up for work at the University of York in March 2009.

Joan Lawrence said "every single day is a nightmare" since Claudia disappeared.

"It's so much to take in in a short time and nothing seems to happen for a long, long time then everything came together and I haven't had time to really digest it," she told the BBC.

North Yorkshire Police said its latest search at Sand Hutton gravel pits, about eight miles (13km) outside York, was expected to take a number of days.

The force said it could not disclose what had led officers to the location.

Mrs Lawrence said she had been told the search could take days or even several weeks.

"You are frightened what they are going to find, you wonder what has led up to it, you wonder if some information has come in."

She said her biggest fear was what the police might find.

"Because I've always had hope, haven't I?

"They would not be going to all this trouble and expense for nothing. There must be something, something has triggered it off from somewhere."

University chef Ms Lawrence was last seen at 15.05 on Wednesday 18 March walking towards her home on Heworth Road.

Later that evening she spoke to both her parents, Joan and Peter Lawrence, by phone, but the following day failed to arrive for her job at Goodricke College.

A friend who became concerned when she failed to meet at a local pub that evening contacted Ms Lawrence's father, who reported her missing on 20 March.

Peter Lawrence, died earlier this year without knowing what happened to his daughter.

Mrs Lawrence said the search was "very personal" as it was "about me and a daughter I haven't seen for 12 years, every single day is a nightmare".

She credited her faith with giving her "the courage and strength to get through" the ordeal, and said: "I wouldn't be here without it".

"I've prayed daily for answers, even if they are bad, I've prayed daily for something, and I know it will come."

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