Police appeal to clubgoers after girl is found strangled

DETECTIVES in Cheshire hunting the murderer of a 15-year-old girl have asked nightclubbers to help them find her killer.

Diane Easton was strangled and dumped in woodland after she had been to Chaplin's night club in Warrington on Friday night. Her fully-clothed body was found by a walker on Saturday morning near the Murdishaw estate in Runcorn, about 10 miles away.

Police are puzzled about the motive, as there was no evidence of a sex attack or robbery, and her injuries were not extensive. They appealed to people at Chaplin's - where Diane had been a regular visitor in recent weeks - to aid their attempt to build up a picture of her last hours.

They are trying to find out how Diane, who lived with her mother on the Longford estate in Warrington, ended up dead at Runcorn after leaving the club.

They also want to trace clubgoers who knew her - particularly a man, believed to be called Steve, who 'may have vital information', Chief Inspector Barry Lickess said. He was thought to be from Runcorn, but with a Liverpool accent. He is about 21 but looks younger as he has a 'baby face', although with a scar on one cheek.

Ch Insp Lickess said that on Friday night, Diane met a man of 18 or 19, possibly an associate of Steve's, at the club and they also wanted him to come forward.