Body found in search for teenager Nora Quoirin

A body found in Malaysia is "likely'' to be that of 15-year-old Nora Quoirin, the Lucie Blackman Trust has said.

In a statement, it said: "The Lucie Blackman Trust can confirm a body has been found in the search for Nora Quoirin.

"At this time we cannot confirm it is Nora. However it sadly seems likely.

"Investigations are under way to confirm identity and cause of death.

"The charity will update as soon as possible. Please respect the family and do not approach them at this difficult time.

"All at The Lucie Blackman Trust are thinking of the family and continue to support them as they come to terms with this new."

Earlier, Nora's mother Meabh (pictured) who is from Belfast, has made a heartfelt appeal to find the teenager as a £10,000 reward was offered for information leading to her safe return.

Meabh Quoirin said the family's "hearts are breaking'' as more than 300 search-and-rescue personnel hunted for the 15-year-old, who disappeared from the Malaysian jungle resort of Dusun on Sunday August 4.

Nora's parents, Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin, a French-Irish couple who have lived in London for 20 years, thanked those looking for her as fundraising pages set up by the teenager's aunt and uncle collected more than £100,000 from well-wishers.

Voluntary hikers and even reportedly a shaman are among those to have joined the search for Nora, who was born with the brain defect holoprosencephaly and has special needs.

Appearing before cameras on Monday, a visibly emotional Ms Quoirin said: "Nora is our first child.

"She has been vulnerable since the day she was born.

"She is so precious to us and our hearts are breaking. We are appealing to anyone who has information about Nora to help us find her.''

Police leading the investigation have refused to rule out a "criminal element'' in the teenager's disappearance.

The reward of 50,000 Malaysian ringgit - approximately £10,000 - was donated by an anonymous Belfast business, Ms Quoirin added

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