The Argus today joined the hunt for Jane Longhurst's killer, offering a £5,000 reward for information leading to his capture and conviction.

Hundreds of posters are going up across Sussex giving details of Jane's disappearance and the discovery of her body five weeks later.

More than 100 people have contacted detectives since the 31-year-old special needs teacher's smouldering remains were discovered on Saturday.

She had been dumped at a beauty spot, 20 miles from the home in Brighton she shared with boyfriend Malcolm Sentance, and set on fire.

Detectives believe Jane was strangled and her body kept cool in a cellar or fridge before her killer panicked and took her to Wiggonholt Common, near Pulborough, on Easter weekend.

Fire crews found the body about 100ft from a shortcut road through the common after a passing motorist raised the alarm, fearing a forest fire.

Officers leading Operation Keen have stepped up their appeals for witnesses following confirmation the body was Jane's.

The new information is being sifted by a team of more than 50 detectives.

Detective Inspector Chris Standard, second-in-command of Operation Keen, said: "I'm more confident than ever we will bring whoever was responsible to justice."

He thanked The Argus for its reward and praised the initial public response.

Officers are awaiting results of forensic scientists' tests on Jane's body for clues which could pinpoint her killer.

Tiny fragments of clothing, hairs, dust particles and fluids might provide a vital DNA sample.

Police believe Jane's strangler was known to her and many of her friends and acquaintances have agreed to provide DNA mouth swabs so they can be eliminated.

Floral tributes have been placed outside Uplands special school in Hollingdean, Brighton, where Jane taught.

One message read: "Dear Miss Longhurst. Rest now and be at peace forever."

It emerged last night the man who found Jane's body may have almost come face-to-face with the killer.

The witness spotted a plume of smoke and, fearing a major bush fire, raised the alarm.

Police think that was just seconds after the killer ignited Jane's petrol-soaked body. He fled the scene quickly and may have returned home smelling of petrol or smoke.

The occupants of three vehicles spotted near the scene around 8.30pm on Saturday could also help the police inquiry. They were a Renault Espace, an old red car - possibly a Volkswagen - and a Ford Focus.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Dennis, the senior investigating officer, said: "Something that seems small and insignificant could hold the key to finding the person who carried out this horrific murder."

The fingertip search of the area where Jane's body was found was being wound down last night but police continued house-to-house inquiries in the area.

Mr Dennis said: "The biggest thing we need from the public is information. Someone must have seen something on Sunday night in the Wiggonholt area that didn't seem quite right."

Anyone with information should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.