Searches over Paris hotel body

Ian Griffin has not been seen since his girlfriend was found dead

Police are searching a number of properties in Cheshire after the wealthy girlfriend of a businessman was found beaten to death at a Paris hotel.

French police want to find Ian Griffin, 39, over the death of Kinga Legg whose body was found at the £1,000-a-night l'Hotel Bristol on Tuesday.

Ms Legg, 36, died from "internal bleeding caused by multiple blows".

Police officers are also guarding Mr Griffin's parents' mansion in Warrington.

Two plain-clothes officers from Cheshire Police have been standing outside his parents' home in Delph Lane, Winwick, stopping people from approaching the property.

We are aware of the terrible news concerning Ms Legg's death A spokesman for Vegex, Ms Legg's company

Meanwhile the force said its officers were searching a number of addresses in the county as part of the French police investigation.

Mr Griffin previously lived in Knutsford and had several businesses listed in Cheshire. In 2006 he was declared bankrupt at Warrington County Court.

Ms Legg, from Poland, was found in her room by a hotel cleaner and according to police there was clear evidence of a struggle.

Some reports claim Mr Griffin may be in the French Rivera on Ms Legg's yacht, but French authorities were unable to confirm this.

Ian Griffin's parents' home is being guarded by police

A spokesman for Cheshire Police added: "We are aware of the French murder inquiry relating to the death of Kinga Legg.

"We are also aware that the investigation may have links to the Cheshire area and we are making inquiries at premises linked to individuals within the case.

"Surrey Police have made similar inquiries at other premises.

"At this point in the investigation it would not be appropriate to go into more detail."

The victim owned international company Vegex, which supplied Tesco and other supermarkets with tomatoes. The company has a site in Oxshott, Surrey and Opatówek, Poland.

A spokesman for Vegex told BBC News: "We are aware of the terrible news concerning Ms Legg's death, but we do not want to go into the facts of the case and her family want to be left alone."