THE Archbishop of York called for renewed hope in the search for missing university chef Claudia Lawrence and Madeleine McCann.

The Most Reverend Dr John Sentamu said he could not imagine the pain and suffering endured by their families.

But he said Easter’s celebration of the triumph of life over death should inspire people never to give up hope that they will be found.

His Easter message came two days after Claudia’s father made a new appeal for help to find his daughter.

The York University chef, 35, has not been seen for more than three weeks, despite a massive police operation to find her. Detectives fear she may have come to harm after meeting someone she knows.

Dr Sentamu said: “In both Claudia and Madeleine’s cases, someone knows where they are.

“As we celebrate the triumph of life over death in the Easter story, let it inspire us to continue the search for the missing so that we may bring hope to others in our common desire to see these families reunited.”

A statement issued on behalf of Claudia’s father, Peter, said: “Easter is a time of hope, a time when families can be together, a time in the Christian church for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“For Peter and the family, this is an impossibly difficult and bewildering time, when life is on hold.

“They are gaining much strength from, and feeling sustained by, the prayers of those who have a faith and the compassionate thoughts of those who do not.

“They know that someone out there knows where Claudia is and hopes that, whoever they are, they will search their conscience and inform either the police or Crimestoppers.”

Miss Lawrence, originally from Malton, North Yorkshire, was last seen on the afternoon of March 18 near her home in Heworth Road, York.