DETECTIVES hunting the killer of Amanda "Milly" Dowler have released a picture of a mug which forms a vital link in their investigation.

Detectives from the Surrey force have been working in Sunderland for a number of weeks, following the discovery of DNA on a mug in a church at Ryhope.

The DNA has been matched with DNA from an item of clothing which investigators took from Amanda's bedroom after she disappeared.

Although police are not directly linking this match with the 13-year-old's abduction, they need to eliminate the match from inquiries.

Almost 60 men in the Ryhope area have provided mouth swabs in support of the investigation, but no DNA match has been made to date.

Detective Superintendent Steve Scott, of Surrey Police, said: "We've had enormous support from Northumbria Police and people in the Sunderland area but we would still like to identify the person who left their DNA on this mug."

As a result of police inquiries, a woman who bought the mug, and donated it along with three others to the church, has come forward.

Police say they now need to establish who drank from the mug on or around Halloween - Thursday, October 31 - last year.

On that day, there was a theft at the church. The offenders have been identified but their DNA does not match that recovered from the mug.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Wade, of Sunderland West Area Command, said: "We've been working closely with our colleagues from Surrey and will do all we can to help them with this difficult investigation.

"What we need now is for someone to remember either drinking from this mug, or being in the church around Halloween time last year and seeing someone else using it."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 125 2222.