Missing children and adults across the world were remembered by dozens of people who took part in a walk of remembrance through the city centre.

Parents of missing children joined well-wishers and staff from the Oakham charity Forever Searching on yesterday's walk.

Wearing t-shirts and carrying placards bearing the faces of missing people – including Rothley youngster Madeleine McCann – the supporters walked from Victoria Park to Town Hall Square, where they were greeted by Leicester's new Lord Mayor, Councillor Roger Blackmore.

The names of missing people were read out.

Among the group were the families of missing children from across the world, including Joe Chisholm, from Canada, whose baby daughter, Sigourney, is believed to have been abducted by her mother in 1993.

The walk marks Missing Children's Day today.

Karen Chapman, chairman of Forever Searching, said it was an emotional day.

"As far as I am aware, this is the only event that's taking place in the country over this weekend.

"It's about raising awareness to the prolific problem of missing people.

"In the UK, the only real attention most cases get is in the early days. There are so many missing children out there that people aren't aware of. If someone's missing and their face isn't known to the public, what chance do they have?"

Maxine Harris, 42, from Leicestershire, took part in the walk wearing a Madeleine McCann t-shirt. She said: "I don't know the McCanns, but I think it's so important that missing people are remembered."

The charity is due to hold a Missing Children's Day service at Leicester Cathedral at 11am today.