The father of missing 12 year-old Tia Sharp believes his daughter is still alive.

Steven Carter and his family have been scouring New Addington since Saturday searching for Tia.

Sign fitter Mr Carter, who is separated from Tia's mother Natalie, said he would know if something had happened to her.

He said: "At the candle lighting David Sharp (Tia's uncle) lit the candle for me. We're good friends, he was the one who told me this was happening. I don't like the idea, candles for me mean death, so I blew mine out. When she is home and safe I'll re-light mine."

Mr Carter, 30, who used to live in New Addington before moving to Northampton 10 years ago, said he didn't want to point fingers of blame.

He said: "What you read, it is all Chinese whispers. What matters is she comes home safe."

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 0208 721 4005 or Missing People on 116 000 quoting reference 12MIS025216.