DETECTIVES are continuing to investigate the death of Claire Lucas - as her heartbroken family have described her as being “happy, fun and loving”.

Claire, 25, was found to have died on July 2 after officers gained entry to a flat in Fourth Avenue, Tang Hall.

A 35-year-old York man was arrested on suspicion of the murder of the nursery worker but was later released on conditional bail to allow further investigations.

Police say they are continuing to investigate Claire’s death and have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

Her family has announced plans for her funeral at York Crematorium at 11am next Thursday.

In an announcement published in The Press she is described as a much loved daughter and granddaughter and the “happy, fun and loving” sister of nine siblings.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Pearson of North Yorkshire Police said: “Officers from North Yorkshire Police’s Major Investigation Team continue to follow lines of enquiry to establish exactly what happened to Claire that weekend before her discovery on Monday 2 July 2018.

“Detectives are working hand in hand with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team to conduct this investigation and offer support and reassurance to local residents within the community.

“Our appeal remains to anyone who has any information which could assist our investigation to contact North Yorkshire Police.”

In the week following her death, police appealed for witnesses to a “fight or altercation between two men in the area of the parade of shops between Seventh Avenue and Melrosegate on Fourth Avenue” overnight on Saturday, June 30.

This week, a police spokesperson would not say if witnesses came forward or whether they had any new lines of inquiry.

The cause of Claire’s death has not been made public. The York Coroner’s Office is yet to open an inquest into her death as it awaits the outcome of the police investigation.

Following Claire’s death a large number of tributes were made to her online and floral tributes were left outside the property in Fourth Avenue.

One child’s card read: “Teachers change the world one child at a time. You’ve changed my life forever. I love you Claire and I will miss you always.”

-Anyone with information should contact police on 101.