TODAY marks the 44th birthday of Claudia Lawrence, who has been missing for almost nine years.

Claudia was 35 when she was last seen on CCTV on her way home from her work at the University of York on March 18, 2009.

Martin Dales, speaking on behalf of Claudia's father Peter Lawrence, said the coming weeks would be difficult for the family.

He said: "The three weeks between Claudia’s birthday and the anniversary of her going missing on March 19 are always an extremely difficult and emotional time for Peter, the family and friends of Claudia particularly as they continue to reflect on her being missing with no answers to the mystery that is the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence.

"Peter will be spending her birthday in quiet reflection on the fact that appeals by both police and family over the past nine years seem to be being ignored by heartless individuals who clearly know what has happened but don’t want to face the consequences of spilling the beans."

An investigation and a review into the case both took place, but was scaled down last year.