Milly family want to know killer

Milly Dowler's body was found six months after she disappeared

The family of murdered Surrey teenager Milly Dowler have made a fresh appeal for information on the eve of the third anniversary of her disappearance.

The 13-year-old was last seen alive on 21 March 2002 walking home from school near Walton-on-Thames rail station.

A statement issued by the family said: "We need to know the name and see the face of the person who murdered our beautiful daughter."

Milly's body was found in woodland six months after she vanished.

'Painful waiting game'

"The anniversary of Milly's disappearance is always an extremely poignant time," the family said.

"This year, her friends have embarked upon their A-levels.

"Watching them grow up and start to think about their futures is a constant reminder of what Milly might have been doing now."

They said the continuing search for their daughter's murder felt like "a very painful waiting game".

But they said: "We feel confident that the diligence and hard work of the police will pay off."

Fresh lead

Last week, police appealed for information about a red car which they believe was used to abduct the schoolgirl, a mile away from home.

The vehicle was seen on CCTV near the railway station less than 100 yards away from where Milly disappeared and less than 25 minutes before when she was last seen.

Det Ch Insp Brian Marjoram said a recent development uncovered the lead.

CCTV footage shows the car, thought to be an N-registration Daewoo Nexia, parked in the street and later driving away with apparently one person inside.

Police say the vehicle could have been kept in storage, or destroyed.