Relatives of missing children have remembered their loved ones at a service.

The great-uncle and aunt of Madeleine McCann, Brian and Janet Kennedy, listened as the parents of abducted youngsters read prayers and recalled their stories at Leicester Cathedral.

Yesterday's service was organised by Forever Searching – a charity which supports relatives of missing and exploited children – to mark International Missing Children's Day.

Mr Kennedy said: "We were moved by what we heard. For people to be able to talk about such horrific experiences shows real courage.

"People say to us what we're going through must be terrible, but we are not Madeleine's parents, and we can't even begin to imagine what they're feeling. Days such as this do a great job of letting people know there's help out there."

The service was led by Dean of Leicester Cathedral, the Very Rev Vivienne Faull.

Karen Chapman, chairman of Forever Searching, said: "Today is about showing support to parents who have lost their children through abduction or exploitation. We are holding the mass on International Missing Children's Day to highlight the issue and make people aware it is a concern all over the world."

A ball at the Walkers Stadium on Sunday night raised money for the charity. A signed Liverpool football shirt and Oasis concert tickets were auctioned.