The mother of missing Claudia Lawrence has said she is in “utter shock” over the new police search for her daughter.

       Officers are currently investigating a popular fishing spot near York as part of the search for the 35-year-old, who is suspected to have been murdered.

       Ms Lawrence said “every single day is a nightmare” since her daughter disappeared. “It’s so much to take in in a short time and nothing seems to happen for a long, long time then everything came together and I haven’t had time to really digest,” she told BBC Radio York.

       North Yorkshire Police confirmed on Tuesday an operation has begun to search the gravel pits at Sand Hutton, to the east of York, involving underwater search teams and forensic experts.

       The force did not confirm what had led them to search the location. The search is expected to continue for a number of days.

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       Ms Lawrence said she could “not think of any connection that Claudia would have” with the site.

       Claudia Lawrence, who lived by herself in the Heworth area of York, was last seen on 18 March 2009.

       North Yorkshire Police has conducted two investigations and questioned nine people in relation to her disappearance and suspected murder but no charges have ever been brought.

       Peter Lawrence, her father, died earlier this year without ever knowing what had happened to her.

       Ms Lawrence said that every day had been a “nightmare” and the search had been “very personal” as it was “about me and a daughter I haven’t seen for 12 year”. However, she stressed her faith would give her “the courage and strength to get through.”

       “It will support me no matter what has gone on, it’s there, it is always there,” she said.

       “If you give up hope you might as well give up altogether.”

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       Detective Superintendent Wayne Fox, who took over as senior investigating officer in the case earlier this year, said yesterday: “The searches which have commenced here today at Sand Hutton Gravel Pits are in relation to the disappearance and suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence more than 12 years ago.

       ”While I cannot say at this stage how long the search may take, I do anticipate that a number of specialist officers and staff, including underwater search teams, and forensic experts are likely to be at this location for a number of days.”