Claudia Lawrence police search area near university

Detectives investigating the disappearance of chef Claudia Lawrence were today searching an area near the university where she worked, police said.

North Yorkshire Police said the operation in the Heslington area of York was expected to last up to three days and followed information received over the last few days.

Miss Lawrence, 36, has been missing for her home in York for more than a year and police have said they are treating her disappearance as a murder inquiry.

In a statement, the force said: "Police investigating the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence are conducting searches in an area of York known as 'The Outgang' which is in the Heslington area.

"The searches, which began on Tuesday March 23, are expected to take up to three days.

"We are unable to provide any further information but can advise that they are as a result of information received in the last few days but not connected to our appeal on March 18 regarding the night of March 16-17."

Last week detectives said they had received new information about from a witness who said Miss Lawrence may have spent the night with a mystery man on this date.

Miss Lawrence was last seen near her home in Heworth, York, on March 18 last year.

She failed to arrive for work the following morning and police believe she may have come to harm by someone she knew.

Miss Lawrence was due to walk the three miles to work at York University on March 19 for a shift beginning at 6am but she never turned up.

She left her cards, cash and passport behind but her mobile phone - a silver Samsung D900 - and blue Karrimor rucksack in which she carried her chef's whites, have yet to be located.

Officers have also referred to a "theme" running through the investigation where people had still not come forward with vital information.