POLICE investigating the disappearance of a woman from Bristol are sharing information with officers looking for missing York chef Claudia Lawrence.

Architect Joanna Yeates, 25, has not been seen since last Friday, following a night out with friends.

Detectives investigating Ms Yeates' disappearance have been in touch with their North Yorkshire counterparts, but are not specifically linking the cases at this stage.

A police spokeswoman said: "It is too early to say if there are any links with the investigation into the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence, as the Bristol inquiry is still in the very early stages.

"However, North Yorkshire Police has been in contact with Avon and Somerset Police and will continue that liaison over the coming days."

Meanwhile, Miss Lawrence's father has offered words of comfort to the family of Miss Yeates.

Solicitor Peter Lawrence, 64, said: "I was very distressed to hear of the disappearance of Jo Yeates and my thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

"I have some idea of what they are going through - it's the not knowing what has happened to Jo that is the most emotionally draining and worrying experience, and particularly hard to deal with at Christmas."

Mr Lawrence, who was 35 at the time of her disappearance, was last seen walking near her home, in York, on March 18 last year.

Police are treating her disappearance as one of suspected murder.