IT is 14 years ago today that one of the country's most baffling murder mysteries began.

Ann Heron's body was found in a pool of blood at her home on the outskirts of Darlington after her throat had been cut.

Despite one of the biggest police manhunts ever mounted in the North-East, her killer has never been found.

Today, police will unveil a "new twist" in the murder investigation - a development which they believe could finally lead to the murderer.

Detectives are certain that someone other than the killer knows the secret and have appealed for that person to break their silence.

We also urge that confidante to come forward. We urge them to consider the anxiety felt in the local community at knowing that a killer remains at large.

And, most of all, we urge them to consider the feelings of Ann Heron's family and friends, who have never had the consolation of knowing the truth about what happened on that terrible summer's day in 1990.

We urge them to think what it must be like - and finally to bring the suffering to an end. Please make the call to police without further delay.

Poisoned chalice

INEVITABLY asked about the possibility of taking over as England manager yesterday, Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren insisted he remained committed to the North-East club.

It remains to be seen what the future holds. But given the complete shambles which the Football Association has proved to be, the real question is: "Why would anyone in their right mind want the job?"