Late on Thursday evening police identified Elthorne Park as an 'area of interest', a location just half a mile from where Alice was last seen along the Grand Union Canal Towpath four weeks ago.

Police were reluctant to comment further on the development last night, but did confirm that the park is a main focus of their search in the hunt for Alice.

LANDLADY OF ALICE GROSS MURDER SUSPECT REVEALS MURDER CONFESSION

Today marks the four week anniversary of the 14-year-old's disappearance, with family members desperately appealing to the public for help bringing their child home.

Meanwhile, police are keen to track down Latvian born Arnis Zalkalns, 41, who was seen along the same towpath about ten minutes after Alice.

The builder, who was convicted of his wife's brutal murder in the late 80's, has not been seen since Alice disappeared.

On Thursday, police staged a reconstruction of Alice's walk along the towpath, featuring her distinctive 'power walk' in an attempt to jog anyone's memories who may have seen the teenager.

Yesterday her family spoke of their anguish, saying they are trying to remain hopeful.

'We're coping as best we can' said mother Rosalind, 50.