The parents of missing Surrey teenager Amanda Dowler have been told by police that the 13-year-old is probably dead.

Amanda, also known as Milly, has not been seen since 21 March when she disappeared walking home in Walton-on-Thames.

A police spokeswoman said her parents "have been told to expect the worst".

The investigation into the teenager's disappearance was discussed at a top level meeting of detectives at the National Crime Operations Faculty in Hampshire earlier in the week.

Amanda's parents' agonising wait continues

The spokeswoman for Surrey Police said: "There has been no actual evidence to suggest that Amanda is either dead or alive.

"But as time has gone on it has become less likely that she is alive and we have become more concerned."

Amanda's parents, Bob and Sally Dowler, have been assured that police remain "fully committed" to the investigation.

Detectives have been discussing possible links with the cases of two other women - Lola Shenkoya, 27, and 19-year-old Elizabeth Chau - who disappeared in the Ealing area.

Most recently, a 52-year-old man from Middlesex was questioned about Amanda Dowler but later released.

One national newspaper has offered �100,000 for information about the missing schoolgirl.