Former lifeguard Mark Bridger will go on trial today accused of the murder of schoolgirl April Jones.

Bridger, 47, was arrested the day after the five-year-old vanished while playing on her bike near her home in Machynlleth, Wales, on October 1 last year.

The disappearance of April, who had cerebral palsy, sparked a massive outpouring of support for her family, with hundreds of people joining the search.

The girl’s body has never been found despite a major operation led by Dyfed Powys Police.

Mark Bridger, of Ceinws, is charged with abducting and murdering April, and of unlawfully disposing of and concealing her body with intent to pervert the course of justice.

He pleaded not guilty to the allegations on January 14 when his barrister Brendan Kelly QC told Mold Crown Court that Bridger is “probably responsible” for her death.

The trial, also at Mold, is expected to be occupied with legal matters and jury selection today and is due to open later this week.

On the day she went missing, Mr and Mrs Jones had allowed April to play out late as a treat after she received a glowing report from school.

Mark Bridger was arrested the following day.