IPSWICH: It was her favourite time of year.

But today the parents of Sarah Shields are facing their first Christmas without their beloved daughter.

Angela and David Shields have not decorated the family home in Ramsgate Drive, finding the memories too hard to face.

Sarah’s body was discovered in the sea off the southern coast of Gran Canaria on July 7.

The 23-year-old went missing while on holiday on the Spanish island with her boyfriend Christopher Chittock.

Chittock, of Alnesbourn Crescent in Ravenswood, will be spending Christmas in custody in Spain, after he was extradited in August to face trial in connection with Sarah’s murder.

And today Angela Shields said her thoughts are with Chittock’s family, as they too face a difficult Christmas.

“It is a very difficult time,” she said. “Sarah loved Christmas, she loved decorating the tree, going shopping to buy presents so it has been so, so hard this year.

“We couldn’t face decorating the house this year, it just didn’t feel right.

“I went shopping and listening to all the Christmas songs just makes me burst into tears. It brings back so many memories.

“It is our first Christmas without our lovely girl but we mustn’t forget his (Chittock’s) family, his son without his dad and his parents without their son at Christmas.

“It must be hard for them too, it is not their fault.”

The couple will be visiting their daughter’s grave on Christmas morning before joining the rest of their family.

And Angela said they are still waiting to hear news of when the trial will take place.

“We haven’t heard anymore about when the trial will happen, I just want to get it over and done with.

“It is a dark cloud hanging over us all.”

n Pay your tributes to someone special. Call the newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.