Detectives probe Claudia message

Claudia's disappearance is being treated as suspected murder

Police are investigating a message posted on a social networking website claiming to be from missing York chef Claudia Lawrence.

Miss Lawrence, 35, has been missing since March and police are treating her disappearance as suspected murder.

The message appeared on a Facebook page dedicated to Miss Lawrence's case.

A spokesperson for Miss Lawrence's family said they believed the message to be a hoax and described it as "deeply hurtful".

The message, which was posted on 9 November, reads: "Hi everyone just let you be aware that I am ok and I am safe and sound. Speak to you all soon. Claudia xxx"

It has been taken down by the page's administrator.

Miss Lawrence's family said whoever had posted the message was "bad and sick".

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said the force were looking into the message "as a matter of routine".

Miss Lawrence was last seen leaving the University of York's Goodricke College, where she worked, on 18 March.