Police have confirmed an area of heathland examined overnight is not linked with the disappearance of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

Forensic experts worked through the night after the discovery in a wooded area of Warren Hill, near Newmarket in Suffolk, just 10 miles from where the girls vanished 10 days ago.

After speaking to the the girls' families this morning, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Hebb told reporters at the scene: "I can now tell you that our investigation of the two earth mounds have been completed in the last few minutes and there is no connection with the disappearance of Holly and Jessica.

"Both sites consisted of loose soil mounds with nothing underneath. My heart goes out to their parents. This has been a very long and difficult night."

"Clearly now we need to regain the focus and find Jessica and Holly alive and well."

THE SEARCH TIMETABLE

SUNDAY AUGUST 4

5.35pm - Holly and Jessica, having spent time playing on a computer, leave Holly's home.

6.15pm - CCTV footage places the girls at the Ross Peers sports centre - a green car is parked nearby.

6.45pm - Their last confirmed sighting near Soham's war memorial.

7pm - Taxi driver heading south on the A142 towards Newmarket, Suffolk, sees motorist in green car in front struggling with two children.

8.30pm - Holly's parents raise the alarm after finding the children missing.

10.40pm - Jogger on Warren Hill, near Newmarket, hears two girls screaming.

MONDAY AUGUST 5

Dawn - Search begins again, later involving a police helicopter and up to 500 police and civilian volunteers.

6.45am - A woman living in Little Thetford, Cambridgeshire, apparently sees two girls walk past her house on the main A10 road.

TUESDAY AUGUST 6

The jogger who heard the children's screams informs police and is interviewed by detectives. Taxi driver Mr Webster attempts to speak to police in Wales about his sighting. He is told he will need a CID officer and that none is available.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7

Mr Webster is first interviewed by police in Brecon and the Cambridgeshire team are informed.

THURSDAY AUGUST 8

Police release CCTV pictures showing the last pictures of the girls.

FRIDAY AUGUST 9

Mr Webster returns to his home town of Newmarket, Suffolk, and contacts police again.

SATURDAY AUGUST 10

A reconstruction of Holly and Jessica's last known movements is filmed in Soham.

SUNDAY AUGUST 11

A week since the girls disappeared, Mr Webster interviewed for first time by a detective involved in the hunt.

MONDAY AUGUST 12

Focus of the hunt moves to Newmarket, where the mystery driver was headed.

TUESDAY AUGUST 13

11.30am - jogger informs Suffolk Police he has returned to the area where he heard the children's screams and found disturbed earth. Suffolk Police contact Cambridgeshire colleagues and an officer visits the scene.

4.25pm - after an initial examination, officers from the investigating team switch their attention to Warren Hill