POLICE are chasing a new lead in their quest to discover the fate of missing chef Claudia Lawrence – 1,000 days after she vanished.

Detectives have revealed that a potentially crucial new witness has come forward, giving them a “significant” new line of inquiry.

The man leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, said the lead was “potentially fruitful” and could prompt a fresh police appeal within days.

Claudia, a chef at York University, was 35 when she disappeared on March 18, 2009.

Despite a huge police operation, no trace of her has been found and detectives are treating the case as suspected murder.

Now Det Supt Galloway and his team are piecing together the fresh information in the hope it will provide a breakthrough and end nearly three years of uncertainty for Claudia’s family and friends.

He said the new information related to the time Claudia vanished, but said full details had to be kept under wraps while further inquiries are carried out.

Det Supt Galloway added: “I will still be here after 2,000 days if I need to be. I am committed to the case professionally and personally, and this commitment, like the commitment of Claudia’s family, will stand until we achieve a positive result.”

The disappearance of Claudia, who originally came from Darlington and was brought up in Malton, North Yorkshire, left her friends and family devastated and, even after 1,000 days, they still struggle to come to terms with her loss.

Her father, Peter, a solictor from Slingsby, near Malton, said the continuing mystery was hard to deal with, but added that “faith and my friends” were helping.

He said that if Claudia suddenly walked in through the door tomorrow: “I would just hug her. That is all I want to do – hug her.”

Over the past year, Mr Lawrence has been part of the campaign for new laws giving more rights to people whose loved ones are missing.

“It helps to meet other people who know what I am feeling,”

he said. “I have spoken to families who have had a relative missing for eight years and 20 years – and I thought 1,000 days was painfully long.”

He added: “It is very difficult to say whether Claudia is still alive, but I very much hope she is.”

Claudia’s best friend, Suzy Cooper, said: “I think about Claudia every day. There is not a day goes by when I do not think about her and cry.”

Anyone with information that could help the investigation, can phone police on 0845-60-60-24-7 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.