A NATIONAL television appeal aimed at galvanising the search for missing Claudia Lawrence has produced some “very interesting calls”.

Potential new leads were today being studied by police investigating the disappearance of the 35-year-old chef after a fresh plea for information was made on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme last night.

These include a possible sighting of the small Karrimor rucksack Claudia used to carry her chef’s whites to work, while several names suggested in connection with her vanishing have been handed to officers.

Interviewed by presenter Kirsty Young, Det Supt Ray Galloway, who is leading the search, showed millions of viewers replicas of Claudia’s rucksack and her silver Samsung D900 mobile phone. Describing her as “a sociable, gregarious person with a wide circle of friends”, he said: “We have had some calls regarding a previous relationship, which is of a useful context to me.

“However, my focus lies with any current relationship – who was she going out with; who was her boyfriend; who was showing an unhealthy interest in her? We will treat all information in complete confidence.”

Kirsty Young said: “We have had some very interesting calls on this case. If you have any information, no matter how inconsequential you think it is, it might just be the important piece of the jigsaw which helps.”

Since the airing of the Crimewatch appeal, the programme has so far received 37 calls regarding Claudia's disappearance.

North Yorkshire Police today confirmed 14 more calls were made to the force's control room between the start of the programme at 9pm yesterday and 2am today.