DETECTIVES investigating the disappearance of university chef Claudia Lawrence have again turned to the public for help.

They have renewed their appeal to identify a left-handed smoker seen with a woman on Melrosegate Bridge in York.

Officers launched an appeal to trace the mystery couple last week, but so far no-one has come forward with any information.

The man and woman were seen by a passing cyclist at around 5.35am on March 19 - the morning that Miss Lawrence failed to turn up for work at York University’s Goodricke College.

The cyclist was travelling from Rawdon Avenue towards Heworth Road and they were seen to the cyclist's left. The woman had her back to the railings - but not up against them.

The man was around 5ft 6in tall, of skinny build and was wearing a dark-coloured hooded top with the hood up and was holding a cigarette in his left hand. He was wearing dark-coloured combat trousers with pockets on the side.

The woman was smaller than the man with mousy-brown hair and was wearing a blue, waist-length jacket with buttons and pockets detail.

Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway said: "We are appealing to any other members of the public who were in the are on the Thursday morning and may have seen two people in the bridge, or anyone who knows a left-handed smoker who matches the man’s description to come forward as a matter of urgency.

"It may be that the man and woman are totally unconnected to the enquiry, but we need them to come forward to enable us to eliminate them."

Miss Lawrence’s disappearance is now being treated as an suspected murder investigation and Crimestoppers have offered a £10,000 reward.

Anyone who can help, please contact police on 0845 6060 247 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.