Claudia father launches website

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The father of missing York woman Claudia Lawrence has set up a website in a fresh effort to find his daughter who police suspect has been murdered.

On it, Peter Lawrence said the family was living through an "indescribably difficult" time.

Her father has made regular appeals in the media for his daughter's safe return.

Miss Lawrence, 35, was last seen on her way home from work at the University of York's Goodricke College.

On the website, Mr Lawrence makes a new appeal for anyone with information which could help in the search for his daughter, to contact police.

Bridge couple

He says: "It is every parent's worst nightmare when something like this happens and the times the family are living through are indescribably difficult.

"We have, however, been much supported by people's prayers and compassionate thoughts and now our only desire is for Claudia to return to her family and friends.

Police want to trace a couple seen on the Melrosegate Bridge

"If you can help us in our search, we would be most grateful and the police will appreciate every piece of information you might be able to give them."

Last week detectives said they wanted to speak to a man and a woman who were seen by a cyclist on Melrosegate Bridge at 0535 GMT on Thursday, 19 March.

Police said so far no-one had come forward with any information about the pair.

The man is described as skinny and about 5ft 6in tall. He was wearing dark trousers and a dark hooded top with the hood up and was holding a cigarette in his left hand.

The woman is described as smaller than the man, with mousy-brown hair. She was wearing a blue, waist-length jacket.

Det Supt Ray Galloway, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are appealing to any other members of the public who were in the area on the Thursday morning and may have seen two people on the bridge, or anyone who knows a left-handed smoker who matches the man's description to come forward as a matter of urgency.

"They could have vital information which could help our investigation.

"It may be that the man and woman are totally unconnected to the enquiry, but we need them to come forward to enable us to eliminate them."