DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a woman whose body was found in a dumped suitcase were following up several new leads last night.

The discovery was made in a hedge near the village of Askham Richard, near York, on Sunday.

A nationwide search has been launched in an effort to identify the woman, whose wrists had been bound together and her mouth covered by tape.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Ankers, who is leading the inquiry, warned that it could be a "long and difficult" investigation and said police needed all the help they could get from the public.

Residents of Askham Richard and Bilbrough have contacted police to report suspicious incidents from recent weeks, and other calls from across the country have given clues as to the identity of the dead woman.

She was aged between 20 and 40, and thought to be of Asian or Oriental origin.

Det Chief Insp Ankers said: "I am pleased with the immediate response to the media appeals, but we need the calls to continue."

He said that other police forces across the country had been contacted and asked to check their missing persons records.