Charlene Downes vanished in November 2003, aged just 13, and her family have gone through hell ever since.

In a bid to ease their pain, the Downes' have organised a memorial service for their daughter to be held at St John's Church in Blackpool.

They also want to put a memorial bench in place in Stanley Park, one of the St George's High School pupil's favourite places.

To raise money for the cause Robert Downes of Buchanan Street, Blackpool, will get on his bike and travel the North West coast using only pedal power.

The former soldier said: "It's been really difficult, but this has given me something to concentrate on.

"It's frustrating because you can't actually do anything, you have to just wait around and hope you hear some news.

"But this has given me something I can throw myself into, something I can actually do that is not out of my hands.

"I got the idea after I did the Manchester to Blackpool ride in aid of cystic fibrosis.

"I've been practising riding from Fleetwood to St Annes and back and hopefully I'm fully fit.

"It's about 65 miles so it won't be easy, but I just want to get on with it."

Since Charlene vanished the family had to undergo the torture of sitting through a murder trial.

After a 12-week trial, the jury failed to make a decision on what had happened to their daughter.

The two men accused of her murder and disposing of the body have since been cleared of all charges.

Charlene's is still on the missing persons list and the police have gone back to square one in their bid to find out what happened to her.

Robert will be supported on his trip by family friend John McNally who has also been collecting sponsorship cash for the event and will document the effort.

Daughter Emma Downes, 23, and friends will be taking collection tins around Blackpool pubs to further boost the coffers.

They are hoping the funds will allow them to purchase the bench to put in the park as well as pay some of the costs of the tribute service.

Charlene's mum Karen said: "I'll never have real closure until we get justice for Charlene, but until then this service will at least give us the chance to celebrate her life.

"I just hope all her friends and school pals can come along to share the day with us."

The service will take place at St John's on Church Street from 11am on September 15.