A vigil is to be held at Norwich Cathedral for missing Gorleston student Sophie Smith, who was last seen in her home town in the early hours of Boxing Day.

Called A Vigil for the peace of Sophie, there will be an open service on Saturday, March 3 from 5pm for those affected by Sophie’s disappearance and for those who searched for her.

Sophie liked to visit the cathedral and her mother, Lynn Shaw, volunteers as a welcomer here.

The vigil will be led by Andy Bryant, Canon for Mission and Pastoral Care at Norwich Cathedral.

Rev Brian Hall, Vicar of St Andrew’s in Gorleston, will be assisting in leading the vigil, which is expected to last just under 60 minutes.

A statement from Norwich Cathedral said: “The vigil will take place at the cathedral on Saturday, March 3 at 5pm.

“All who wish to attend are welcome to do so.

“The vigil will include music, readings and reflections along with the opportunity to light candles.

“The vigil will also be an opportunity to give thanks for all the professional agencies as well as members of the public who gave so much time to the search for Sophie.

“The family want this service to be open to the public in gratitude for all those who assisted in the search.”

Sophie, 21, disappeared from her home in Avondale Road, Gorleston at 3am on Boxing Day, without a mobile phone wearing just a vest and shorts.

Subsequent CCTV footage captured her heading towards the seafront a short time later, but there have been no other confirmed sightings since then.

She is a second year biomedicine student at the University of East Anglia.