DETECTIVES today applied to hold Jenna Baldwin's stepfather for another day, to continue questioning him about the teenager's disappearance.

The application to extend the custody limit was lodged as officers started their third day of intensive searches of woodland for signs of the 15-year-old schoolgirl.

Michael Baldwin was arrested on Tuesday in connection with her disappearance. Yesterday detectives got an extra 24 hour extension to question Mr Baldwin. They returned to court to request a further extension after the existing one expired at 10.45am.

Jenna went missing from her Abersychan home on September 10 and has not been seen since.

Officers are searching woods near Limekiln Road in Abersychan and are planning to once again use helicopters with special imaging equipment to help them.

Police are also appealing for people who have seen anything suspicious in isolated areas in Pontypool to come forward.

Chief Inspector John Oliver, who is leading the investigation, said: "We have had some response from the appeals and that encourages us that at least people are starting to think about the appeal.

"We would ask anybody who may have some information to trawl the depths of their memory to see if they have seen any vehicles or people in isolated areas."

Police have not ruled out the possibility that they are looking for a body. Local residents say they are shocked by the searches.

Tula Bounds, aged 62, said: "It is all very sad, I just hope they find something soon. "I feel sorry for the family and all they are going through and it's a shock to everyone in the community.

"You never think something like this is going to happen on your doorstep." David Knight, aged 70, who is a regular walker in the woods where police are searching, said: "It is all quite puzzling.

"The search will probably take quite a while, it is a dense area with lots of undergrowth." Anyone with information should call the incident room on 01495 232260.