A FAMILY friend of Claudia Lawrence has spoken of the family's pain on what would be her 45th birthday.

The chef, from Malton in North Yorkshire, disappeared in York on March 18 in 2009.

Martin Dales, a friend and spokesperson for the family, said: “I cannot believe that Claudia, having been missing for nearly ten years, is 45 years old today and her father Peter Lawrence and I have been reflecting on what she would be like at 45.”

She was last seen near her home in Heworth, and was working as a chef at the University of York at the time of her disappearance.

Police of not been able to establish what happened to her, with the case going from a missing persons case to a murder case. The police have arrested several suspects, but no one has yet to be charged.

He added: “I hope that whoever is responsible for her disappearance will also be reflecting on the information they have been withholding for over 3,500 days and recognise the agony this is causing for both family and friends alike.”