THE hunt for missing chef Claudia Lawrence has taken to the rails - with thousands of travellers across the region being brought into the search.

Posters featuring the 35-year-old, who disappeared more than two months ago, are to go on display at stations and on trains to try and jog memories.

National Express are putting up large posters of Miss Lawrence at York, Darlington, Doncaster and Wakefield Westgate stations.

And Grand Central Railways is also taking part - by distributing leaflets on all its trains appealing for her safe return.

It is hoped the images will be recognised by people who may have information that could help - or who may even have seen the missing woman.

Miss Lawrence was last seen near her home on Heworth Road in York on March 18 and she failed to turn up for her 6am shift at York University ‘s Goodricke College the following day.

Despite a huge police operation and the offer of a £10,000 reward there has not been a trace of her since - and detectives are now treating the case as one of suspected murder.

Martin Dales, a close friend who is acting as the family’s spokesman, yesterday thanked the railway companies for playing their part.

"We are extremely grateful to National Express East Coast, Grand Central Railways and poster printers Kingswood Steele for their support in this highly visual way," he said.

"It is to be hoped that the travelling public will search their memories over the last ten weeks and any information they have should be given to the police."

Next Tuesday the case will be featured on BBC TV’s Crimewatch programme for the second time and the show will include reconstructions filmed in York last week.

Last week police released new CCTV footage of two men seen near Miss Lawrence’s home the morning after she was last seen.

The images showed one man going to the rear of her terrace before returning to the front of the property at about 5.50am on March 19.

A second man could be seen for a few seconds walking on the opposite side of Heworth Road.

Police are also investigating sightings of two men seen outside the front of Miss Lawrence’s home on March 10; a man and woman seen on Melrosegate Bridge in York at around 5.35am on March 19; and a couple seen arguing near a car on University Road on the same morning.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0845 6060 247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.