DETECTIVES hunting the killer of Amanda "Milly" Dowler have revealed more details of a link between her murder and a village church near Sunderland.

DNA samples, believed to be male sweat, on a bodice found in the teenager's bedroom, matched a DNA sample found at the scene of a church burglary 300 miles away from Surrey in Ryhope, near Sunderland.

Surrey Police last night confirmed they had now swab-tested 55 men in Ryhope and the surrounding area, but all tests had proved negative.

Police revealed details of the top after her funeral service on Friday, in a bid to track down the 13-year-old's killer, .

The same DNA was found in saliva left on a mug which was handled by two thieves in St Paul's Church, Ryhope, Sunderland, during a distraction theft. Tests showed that it was not DNA from two men charged in connection with the theft.

The link was revealed earlier this year, but detectives have now unveiled the garment, which they hope holds the key to the abduction and murder of the schoolgirl, who went missing a year ago.

Milly, who was cremated on Friday, six months after her body was found in woods in Hampshire, bought the size-ten top in a sale at New Look in September 2001.

She planned to wear it to a Halloween party, but changed her mind. Friends told police they could not remember her ever wearing it.

Police said they are "baffled" as to how the male DNA sample - from sweat or skin tissue - found on the top could be a match with the flower-patterned mug in Ryhope.

A spokeswoman said last night that one theory was that the satin bodice was bought by someone in Sunderland, returned to the shop for a refund and was then despatched from a central warehouse to a New Look store in Kingston or Staines.

She said: "It may be a complete coincidence and it is unlikely that person is the killer. But we believe he might hold some vital information about the murder."

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Denholm, who is leading the inquiry, said: "This is one of the most frustrating and challenging inquiries we have dealt with. We need this nugget of information to find Milly's killer.

"That is why we need the help of the public to solve this terrible case."

On Friday, police issued a £50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Anyone with information is asked to call 0845-125 2222