THE families of a young couple who have been missing since their Thai holiday resort was devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami are still waiting to hear if their bodies have been found.

Sarah Bent, 19, and Robert Rowbottom, 21, were enjoying a holiday at the Charlie Beach Resort on the island of Ko Phi Phi when the disaster struck.

Robert, a former pupil of St Peter's School, in York, whose family lives near Pocklington, was travelling after university and Sarah, a student from Copmanthorpe, had flown out to Thailand to be with him for Christmas and New Year.

The couple last spoke to their families on Christmas Day and Sarah's father, Paul Bent, told the Evening Press that there was still "no news" of the sweethearts.

The body of Stephen Magson, another holidaymaker, was flown home to the UK yesterday following its discovery and identification in Thailand.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Evening Press, his widow, Denise, said her family now wanted time to grieve.

Company director Mr Magson, 54, of Holgate, York, was enjoying a Christmas break with his wife and their daughter, India, when the deadly wave struck. While mother and daughter escaped to safety, Mr Magson, who was watching them from the beach, was caught by the water.

Hundreds of people gathered at York Minster two weeks ago for a memorial service.

Updated: 13:51 Friday, April 01, 2005