A PRAYER vigil is to be held for the well being of missing Broadstairs student nurse Louise Kerton. It will take place on February 16 at Aylesford Priory, near Maidstone, where her parents are well known to local churchgoers.

Louise's mother Kath, from New Ash Green, near Gravesend, said: "All are welcome to join in, even if they cannot make it to Aylesford. We have had great comfort from the many messages of support from all over the place. So many people say that they feel a need to be with us, doing something definite for Louise. This event allows them to do that."

The family has spent more than £20,000 in the search for their daughter. A fund - called Friends of Louise - has been set up at the New Ash Green branch of Woolwich PLC to which cheques can be sent.

Louise's father, Phil, has re-iterated his call for the public's help in the on-going search, and also attacked the bureaucracy that has hindered investigations. He said: "Those who want to take an active role can do that by writing to their MPs and to any German politicians that they know.

"An international review of police policy on this case takes place in early February. Politicians should do their best to make sure this results in the full sharing of information and a plan for effective action. We are fed up with explanations about the impossibilities caused by protocol and limits of jurisdiction. No-one at all in the UK has heard from Louise for over seven months now."

Detectives from Kent are due to meet their German counterparts soon to discuss the on-going search. A spokesman for Kent Police said no date had been set for the discussions.