THE father of missing Heworth chef Claudia Lawrence has spoken of how his Christian faith has helped him to endure the “dreadful” ordeal he has endured since her disappearance.

Peter Lawrence said his Anglican faith had been “sorely tested” by his daughter’s disappearance nearly four years ago but without it, he would have found it “very difficult” to continue.

The 66-year-old solicitor, who is based in York, was speaking as he helped launch the book Gone, by Neil Root, on the disappearance of his daughter and his search for the truth about what happened to her.

Mr Lawrence and Claudia’s friend Suzy Cooper appeared on BBC Breakfast yesterday to discuss the book and are due to appear on This Morning today.