POLICE have agreed to stop filling in the landfill area where they believe the body of missing Dunfermline gunner Corrie McKeague is buried.

The news comes after the missing airman's father begun a blockade of the rubbish tip in Milton, Cambridgeshire, because the cell that was searched was set to be filled in within days.

Thousands of people have also supported Corrie’s family by signing a petition asking police to continue to search the landfill site until the 23 year-old is found.

Suffolk Police announced last Friday that the search would be paused. Officers have trawled through more than 65,000 tons of rubbish and found "no trace" of Corrie, who went missing on September 24 last year after a night out in Bury St Edmunds.

On Tuesday, his mother, Nicola Urquhart, 48, thanked all who had voiced their concerns to Suffolk Police, following a meeting with the force.

She wrote on the ‘Find Corrie’ Facebook page: “I thought on Friday this had finally broken me, and without you all, I do not know how I could have got through this.

“Just like you, we could not understand the decision by Suffolk and Norfolk police to stop the search for Corrie when they felt Corrie was still in the landfill, yet they were saying that money was not an issue.

“We were also told that there would be an independent review being carried out but that the landfill would also be handed back and filled in.

“In just three days over 24,583 people have signed the petition and I am so pleased that Suffolk Police have heard our voices and listened.

“They have heard our concerns at the landfill being handed back and filled in and have now said although handed back, it will not be touched and will remain in the same condition until after the review with an independent force.”

Corrie was last seen in the early hours of September 24 walking into a bin loading bay. A bin lorry was later spotted on CCTV taking a route that followed the movements of the former St Columba’s High pupil’s phone.

Police began a 20 week operation to search a cell of rubbish from the date of Corrie’s disappearance but that concluded with no results.

Essex Police were due to undertake an independent review of the search so far, but to ensure complete transparency, Suffolk Police are now requesting that another force carry this out.

Ms Urquhart previously considered seeking an injunction to stop the search site being filled in but said they will speak to Suffolk Police to understand how they have come to their decision.

However, Ms Urquhart has admitted that her son may never be found.

She added: “I always try to stay realistic, it maybe the case that my family agree with where the police are in stopping the search at the landfill.

“It may be the case that after we have been given our own family review, which will take place in August, that we do not agree.

"This does not mean the police will start searching again, but it does mean that they are listening to us and will take what we say into consideration.

"This is called hope.”

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said: “The search for Corrie remains a live and active investigation as we all remain committed to finding him.

“We have exhausted the search as to where Corrie is mostly likely to be at the landfill site at Milton, although we acknowledge and understand the frustration that Corrie’s family, friends and many supporters feel in relation to this.

"We will now take time to pause and reflect where we are with the investigation and will continue to carefully review it as we have done from the outset.

“Police have agreed with the company that run the site to leave cell 22 in its current state and will not be using it for the deposition of waste until the review is concluded.”