DETECTIVES from three countries are meeting today to discuss the case of missing Broadstairs woman Louise Kerton. The family of the 24-year-old nurse has asked that German police upgrade the search for her into a murder enquiry.

They have written to Kent's Chief Constable David Phillips to demand Louise’s disappearance be recorded as an unlawful killing and an action plan drawn up. Officers from Kent, Germany and Belgium are getting together to review the case.

Louise had been staying with her fiancé’s mother near Euskirchen - 60km from the German town of Aachen - when she went missing on July 31 last year. She was due to catch a train to Ostende in Belgium but didn’t arrive.

Her father, Phil, fron New Ash Green, near Gravsend, has called on police in Germany to do more to search for Louise and said he hoped “pragmatism would cut through bureaucracy “ at today's meeting being held at an undisclosed location in Margate. He said: “We have suggested that the police forces set up some sort of liaison with each other.”

Last Saturday,hundreds of friends and relatives packed into Aylesford Priory, near Maidstone, for an hour’s vigil to pray for Louise’s well being. Mr Kerton added: “The occasion was of great support to us and a very moving service. We remembered the good times we had with Louise.

“If Louise is alive, we can only pray she will get in contact with us. If Louise is dead, we hope she’s at peace.”