New CCTV plea in Claudia inquiry

One of the men is seen walking past the Costcutter shop on Heworth Road

Police searching for missing Claudia Lawrence have released new CCTV images of two men spotted near her York home the morning after she was last seen.

One man is seen going from Heworth Road to the rear of the terrace before returning to the front of the property at about 0550 BST on 19 March.

CCTV shows another man walking for a few seconds on the opposite side of Heworth Road around the same time.

Det Supt Ray Galloway said he wanted to identify the men urgently.

The investigation into 35-year-old Miss Lawrence's disappearance is being treated as suspected murder.

She was last seen near her home on 18 March and failed to arrive for her early morning shift the following day at the University of York's Goodricke College, where she worked as a chef.

'Acting strangely'

Det Supt Galloway said CCTV showed one of the men in Lime Court, heading for the back of Miss Lawrence's house and described him as "walking purposefully".

He added: "We have made inquiries to try to identify whether this is somebody with an innocent explanation.

"With all the local people that we have discussed the matter with, we can't identify him.

"What was he doing acting in a strange way at that particular time? It might be completely innocent but if it's not explained away innocently, it heightens my suspicion."

Police said the other man seen walking on the opposite side of Heworth Road had worn a light-coloured top and carried a light-coloured item, which could possibly be a bag or a newspaper.

Police want to trace a man seen in Lime Court, off Heworth Road

He was also picked up on CCTV at about 0555 BST walking past the Costcutter shop in Heworth Road, which is at the junction with East Parade and Dale's Lane.

Det Supt Galloway said: "He's being appealed for on the basis of being a witness to the person who walks into Lime Court."

He added: "I need to ask these two men if they recall seeing anything unusual or suspicious that morning, or even if they possibly saw a woman matching Claudia's description or any other person who was out and about at that early time of day.

"Even the smallest, seemingly insignificant piece of information could prove vital in our efforts to find Claudia.

"So, please, if you recognise yourself in the images, get in touch with North Yorkshire Police as soon as possible.

"If anybody else can identify the men then let the police know so we can make inquiries to trace them."