DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a 25-year-old woman have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses.

A woman, named locally as Claire Lucas, was found dead in a property in Fourth Avenue, York, at 1pm on July 2, after concerns were raised for her welfare.

Police arrested a 35-year-old local man on suspicion of murder, and later released him on conditional bail as investigations continue.

Last night police said they wanted to find anyone who saw or heard a fight or altercation between two men in the area of the parade of shops between Seventh Avenue and Melrosegate overnight on June 30.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Pearson said they were not in a position to formally identify the victim, but urged anyone with information to contact the force immediately.

He said: "The scene is in a residential area and we have been speaking with the local community to obtain as much information as we can and to reassure them that we are working hard to establish the circumstances of the woman’s death.

"We continue to appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything unusual around this location, no matter how insignificant it may seem."

Contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.