Tributes flood into Internet condolence book
Tributes from around the world flooded into an book of condolence set up on the Internet to mourn the deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
More than 11,000 poignant messages were left on the website in the first 30 hours.
Messages poured in at a rate of up to 30 a minute - or one every two seconds - with tributes coming from as far away as Australia, Israel and Zimbabwe.
Other messages were from Iceland, Bahrain, Dubai, Brazil, the United States, India - and even one from an oil rig in the middle of the North Sea.
Virtually no countries were left untouched by the fate of the 10-year-olds.
Workers on the website said they were deeply moved by the messages, particularly those from children, parents and from places like Israel.
One boy wrote: "I’m a 13-year-old boy from Palestine, I heard the dreadful news of the two girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
"I’ve been following the latest news every day, hoping that it would turn out well. I feel deeply sorry for them."
An Israeli man from Jerusalem said: "My wife and I were appalled to learn the news of your terrible loss. We hope and pray that in future you will know no more sorrow."
Others were closer to home, although there were few from the girls’ home town of Soham, where books of condolence have been set up in the parish church.
A girl wrote: "I just want to express my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Holly and Jessica. May their memories live on and their smiles continue to brighten the world.
"I am 15-years-old and I’m only just learning how unfair this world can be. I’m afraid I have witnessed the world at its most cruel over the past two weeks.
"Twice I have been reduced to tears. I can in no way relate to the pain anyone who knew the girls must be feeling, but in a way I share it, the nation does.
"One good thing came out of this whole ordeal. For nearly two weeks, these two special young girls touched my life in a way no-one else can ever do again.
"I will remember their smiles forever. Please accept my heartfelt sympathies, my thoughts are with you through this hard time. May your beautiful daughters rest in peace."
A mother-of-two wrote: "As I right this message with tears running down my face my heart is torn apart and I wish you all my love from myself, my husband and my children aged nine and six. Words cannot express how sad I feel for you and your family."
Another message read: "Even isolated out here on a platform in the middle of the North Sea, you have both touched our hearts."
Most of the messages were addressed to the parents of the two girls and they will be passed on to the families at a later date.
The website shows pictures of the two girls and a brief selection of the messages.
Some gave details of the writers, others wrote of personal tragedies which had affected their lives, but most simply wished to express their sorrow at what had happened.
One man wrote: "Sitting here at work reading the messages from around the country and around the world, work seems so irrelevant when I try to imagine what you must be feeling.
"I hope that these messages will mean something to you. They will certainly have you, like me, in tears of sadness for your loss but hopefully some comfort that you are in our thoughts, not just now but in the weeks and years to come.
"These evil people have taken Holly and Jessica but no-one can take from your hearts and minds the everlasting memories and love."
