DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a mother-of-three have been searching a section of the A19 in North Yorkshire.

Police believe a white campervan which travelled from Manchester to a layby on the A19 near Thirsk in the early hours of June 8, may be connected to the disappearance of Rania Alayed, from Manchester.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police and North Yorkshire Police have searched the area, and have sent letters to the owners of 350 vehicles which travelled on the A19 or A168 between the junctions with the A172 and A1(M) between the hours of 3am and 5am on Saturday, June 8.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Marsh, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: "I cannot begin to imagine the hurt Rania's family are experiencing knowing she is still missing Since Rania disappeared in June we have been working tirelessly to find her,and will continue to do so.

"I understand there might not be anything unusual about a campervan parked on a layby in the early hours and I recognise it might not have struck you as significant at the time. However, we have reason to believe that Rania's body could be located near to this stretch of road and this is where we have been concentrating our searches.”

Two men have been charged in connection with the disappearance of Rania Alayed, from Manchester, who has not been seen since June 7.

Ahmed Khatib, 33, of Knutsford Road in Gorton, has been charged with murder, and Muhanned Mahmood Al Khatib, 38, of Arthur Millwood Court, Salford, has been charged with murder and perverting the course of justice.

Anyone with information on the movements of this white camper van, should contact the Major Investigation Team on 0161 8564711.