HUNDREDS donned gold ribbons and lit candles at a vigil for Amelia Bambridge on Wednesday evening.

Family, friends and well wishers packed St Michael’s Church in Worthing to pray for the 21-year-old backpacker missing in Cambodia.

Amelia’s sister, Sharon Schultes, who gave a tearful reading during the service, said: “We are so overwhelmed by the amazing support from friends and family.

“We are trying to stay positive and keeping the faith that Amelia is going to be found safe.”

In a powerful service at the Hayling Rise Church, candles were lit to “spread Amelia’s light” and hymns, which were chosen to “reflect what the family was going through”, were sung by those gathered.

Gold ribbons, the colour of the dress worn by Amelia in a picture which formed the centrepiece of the service, were handed out and donned by family and friends.

Pupils from Amelia’s school and students from Bhasvic joined well wishers from Worthing community and beyond who were invited to lay candles by her portrait.

The service culminated with the song This is Me - from The Greatest Showman film -which was chosen by Amelia’s family as it represents “the lovely and strong person she is”.

Amelia disappeared from a beach party in the island of Koh Rong last week.

Police have quizzed six men over the disappearance of the backpacker.

Some members of the family from Worthing have flown out to help search for her, including her mum Linda, dad Phil, and brother Harry.

The AFP news agency has reported that as many as 200 army, navy and police personnel have scoured the island in the south of the country to find the former Bhasvic student.

The agency also reported a senior police source in the search party as saying there is now “little hope” she will be found alive.

Yesterday, the police chief for the area where Amelia was last seen said he believed she had drowned.

Major general Chuon Narin, police chief for Preah Sihanouk province, said that searches of the island and in the Gulf of Thailand failed to provide any information about her disappearance.

However, he said that land and sea searches will continue until she is found.

A petition created by Amelia’s friend and signed by more than 2,000 people accused the British Government of providing “no support” in the search efforts to find her.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was providing in-person assistance to the family on the island, and maintaining close contact with the Cambodian authorities.