A BOOK of condolence has been placed in Ealing Town Hall so that people can pay their respects to murdered teenager Alice Gross.

Following the confirmation that a body found in the River Brent late on Tuesday was Alice, the council has lowered both the Union and borough flags to half-mast over Ealing Town Hall.

The flags will also be lowered on the day of Alice’s funeral.

Alice’s parents, Rosalind Hodgkiss and Jose Gross, said: “We have been left completely devastated by the recent developments and it is difficult to comprehend that our sweet and beautiful daughter was the victim of a terrible crime.

“Why anyone would want to hurt her is something that we are struggling to come to terms with.”

Her parents also thanked the local community for their support, adding, “It is comforting to know that so many people care.”

Yellow ribbons, tokens of the support for the #FindAlice community effort, still adorn buildings, trees and hedgerows around the borough, particularly near the family home at Hanwell.

The Hanwell clock tower in The Broadway has become a collecting point for flowers and messages of support.