THE parents of murdered Hanwell schoolgirl Alice Gross this morning spoke of their huge loss at a memorial service for their daughter.

Ros Hodgkiss and Jose Gross spoke to hundreds of well-wishers who had arrived in the driving rain to attend a humanist service in Greenford Hall.

Alice went missing on August 28 and her body was found in the River Brent a month later.

The service included two songs recorded by Alice herself, including Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, which left many people in tears.

Rosalind Hodgkiss told the congregation of about 500 people: "I have been numbed by shock and grief, I have felt outrage and anger at the loss of her life and unbelievable sadness at the emptiness that has been left.

"I have wracked my brains for all the 'what ifs' of that day, anything that might have stopped this random, incomprehensible tragedy.

"It is even harder to talk about that pain than it is to talk about Alice. I cannot imagine life without Alice."

The celebration was led by Caroline Black, a humanist celebrant who also presided over Alice's funeral, and included music, poetry and speeches.

A number of poems were read, including one written by Brian Clark about the yellow ribbons of hope which were placed around Ealing while the search for Alice took place.

Alice's parents had said they were particularly keen for the ‘ribbon fairies’ and those who tended flowers at Hanwell Clock Tower to attend.

Representatives from the Ealing Half Marathon and sports clubs including Hanwell Town FC, Hanwell RFC, Brentford, Ealing Trailfinders, Chelsea and QPR were also invited.

Alice's family have asked that no further flowers, or other tributes, are left at Hanwell Clock Tower as the displays will be removed from tomorrow.

A post-mortem exam into the cause of Alice's death proved inconclusive and more tests are being carried out.

The inquest has been adjourned until January 29.