Scotland Yard detectives are waiting for results of DNA tests to see if the body is that of Michelle Folan, 24, who was never seen again after a row with her husband in a pub in Holloway, north London, in 1981.

The skeleton was found by builders on the site

Builders working at the former Royal Northern Hospital nearby discovered the skeleton with a ligature around its neck earlier this month in an outbuilding across the road from a former nurses' home.

The body was still dressed in a red jumper, jacket, jeans and trainers and wearing jewellery including earrings and rings.

A post mortem examination revealed the woman had been strangled.

Murder hunt

Police have launched a murder inquiry and are appealing for information about the hospital and the use of the outbuilding.

"Someone out there knows what that building was used for and knows when structural work was carried out on it," said Detective Chief Inspector Julian Headon, leading the inquiry.

Mrs Folan was last seen on 16 October 1981 at the pub where she was having a drink with her stepfather and husband.

She walked out leaving her coat and handbag and police were surprised when she did not contact her two young children.

The following year police investigated a link with missing cab driver Kevin Butler, who lived in the same block of flats in Finsbury Park and disappeared with £250,000 left in his car by a Nigerian businessman.