Jane Longhurst's grieving family today appealed for anyone who may be sheltering her murderer to give him up.

Her mother, Liz, sister Sue Barnett and partner Malcolm Sentence made a statement which was read out at a police Press conference this afternoon.

The statement reads: "We are slowly coming to terms with what has happened to Jane and pulling together as a family to support each other during such a difficult time.

"Our main aim now is to find the person who did this and to make sure justice is done.

"Recent publicity has prompted a lot of people to come forward and we would reiterate the appeals that police have been making. Anyone who knows anything about what happened, we beg you to come forward.

"If you are protecting a loved one, or you think someone is hiding something, try to imagine how you would feel if this was your daughter or partner or sister who have been killed in this way.

"You too would want to find the person who did it. If you know or suspect anything please contact the police."

Detectives say they are getting closer to finding the killer but currently have no suspects.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Dennis said dozens of officers were following up more than 100 calls from the public.

He said items including Jane's watch, a box of matches and a single match had been recovered from the scene.

Mr Dennis said: "We have recovered all of that property and these items have gone for forensic work.

"We are very close to him. He has kept Jane for four to five weeks and he has released her in some form of panic attack. He has allowed us to get close to him.

"There are certain things found at the scene that only someone who knew Jane could have known. To carry Jane's body and to place it here would have been very difficult. It would have looked awkward and suspicious."

Mr Dennis appealed for anyone who noticed unusual smells in the weeks between Janes's disappearance and the discovery of her body to contact him.

He said it was possible the killing was a "terrible mistake" and she had no "secret life" which might make anyone want to harm her.