A VAN driver has emerged as a potential key clue in the hunt for missing York chef Claudia Lawrence, it has been revealed.

Police have confirmed that a witness contacted officers to raise concerns about the driver of a vehicle parked in the city’s Melrosegate, on Miss Lawrence’s route to work, at about the time of her disappearance.

The woman is understood to have been jogging in the area when the driver tried to speak to her, but she carried on running.

It is possible the van, described as “old, dirty and rusty – smaller than a Transit”

had been in the area on a number of occasions prior to the 35-year-old’s disappearance.

The jogger said she did not see the van again after Miss Lawrence went missing.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police, while confirming that a witness had been interviewed in relation to the van, said officers had not been made aware of it being there earlier.

She said there was no concrete evidence linking the van to the search for Miss Lawrence, adding officers would be re-contacting the witness in the light of the claims.

She said: “If other witnesses can provide more information, we urge them to come forward.”

Martin Dales, spokesman for Claudia’s father, Peter Lawrence, said: “I would reiterate the police appeal for anyone with any information about the van to come forward.”

Miss Lawrence, whose mother, Joan, is from Darlington, has not been seen since she failed to turn up for work, at York University, more than seven months ago.

Her disappearance is being treated as a suspected murder.

Much of the media attention in recent months has concerned the various men with whom Miss Lawrence is said to have had relationships.

Earlier in the inquiry, Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway stressed it was highly unlikely that she had been abducted by a stranger.

Miss Lawrence was last seen near her home, in Heworth Road, York, on March 18.

Anyone with information is asked to call police, on 0845-60- 60-24-7, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.