Catherine Zeta-Jones Gives to Missing April Jones Search Fund

Catherine Zeta-Jones has lent her support to the ongoing search for missing schoolgirl April Jones.

The Oscar-winning Welsh-born actress is preparing to auction a pair of her designer heels to help raise funds to continue the search for the five-year-old who has not been seen for seven weeks.

The April Jones fund has already raised £40,000.

Family friend Vikki Macdonald said: "We wrote a letter to Catherine to ask for support. She kindly gave us the shoes, which she wore for a premiere."

The signed gold sandals, along with a photo of the star who is married to Michael Douglas, will go under the hammer at a fundraising night in April's home town of Machynlleth, Powys, later this month.

Despite a huge manhunt by police, specialist teams and hundreds of volunteers, no trace has been found of April, who went missing while playing with friends near her family home.

Former lifeguard and family friend Mark Bridger, 46, has been charged with April's murder, child abduction and perverting the course of justice.

Dyfed Powys Police confirmed that the search continued and they will be joined by mineshaft specialists to search caves and old quarry workings in the area.