Joanne boyfriend appears in court

Police say Joanne's body is hidden in open countryside

The fiance of missing Hull woman Joanne Nelson has appeared at Hull Crown Court charged with her murder.

The 22-year-old JobCentre worker vanished on Valentine's Day from the home in Hotham Road North she shared with Paul Dyson.

No application for bail was made during the four-minute hearing which dealt with administrative matters.

Mr Dyson, 30, was remanded in custody and will next appear at Hull Crown Court on 4 May.

Meanwhile, the search for Ms Nelson's body continued on Friday as an improvement in the weather made it possible to enter areas which had previously been covered with deep snow.

Over 70 soldiers from the East and West Riding Regiment and the 150 Transport Regiment as well as the Medical Support Regiment joined the hunt which was co-ordinated at Driffield Rugby Club in East Yorkshire.

Search teams were briefed at Driffield

The 200 soldiers, police officers and volunteers were split into 35 search teams which combed an area from just east of York to the outskirts of Bridlington.

Police say they are looking for a place on a country lane with a tubular metal gate which opens outwards with green bottles beside it.

Det Supt Ray Higgins who is in charge of the investigation said he was delighted at the help from the public.

"The response has been outstanding and we are following up a number of leads," he continued.

Plans are being made to step up the search over the weekend when it is hoped people out walking may provide information.