Eddie Stobart lorry to be named in honour of murdered schoolgirl April Jones

The haulage giant, which famously gives all its cabs women's names, will name its latest vehicle April in memory of the schoolgirl from Machynlleth. She was abducted and murdered in October last year.

As well as featuring April's name across the front, it will also feature a large pink ribbon – a symbol used by her family as a sign of hope – when it is unveiled by her parents Coral and Paul Jones.

The idea came about when husband and wife Kevin and Jenny Clarke, from Ford, near Shrewsbury – who have struck up a friendship with Coral and Paul – wrote to the company.

Mr Clarke drove to Machynlleth the night April was snatched from outside her home to help with the massive search operation and the two families have grown close as a result, helping raise money for April's Fund with an auction and table top sale.

Mrs Clarke said: "As soon as we heard the news of April's disappearance on the night, Kevin said he had to go up and help in any way he could. We did not know Coral and Paul at all at this point, but it is something we felt needed to be done as we would want help from others if something happened to us.

"Kevin stayed up there for a week and just came home a couple of times for fresh clothes and food supplies – and the locals put him up in their homes without knowing him at all. It is a town with incredible community spirit."

Mr Clarke added: "The search was so hard and I am different person since that week. We were looking all hours of the day and in all terrains. The people of Machynlleth were fantastic and were so grateful for any help."

Mrs Clarke said: "The first time I met Coral we hugged and she was so grateful that we had arranged some prizes for the raffle and it went from there.

"Then recently I thought I could write to Eddie Stobart to see if they could name a lorry after April. They wrote back straight away saying they would – and would also feature the pink ribbon which became a symbol of hope for April and the community."

The lorry is set to be unveiled next week on a date and time to be confirmed.