YORK detectives were continuing to work with West Yorkshire Police officers in Leeds today as they try to trace a man who may hold vital clues to a double murder inquiry.

Police have visited several addresses in the Meanwood area of the city as they search for missing council tenant Paul Marshall, 42, who is wanted in connection with the death of two men found at his home.

The manhunt follows the discovery of his car, a red Ford Fiesta, apparently abandoned in the up-and-coming suburban area by officers earlier this week.

The partially-decomposed bodies of Daniel Wall, 27, and Kevin Mulgrew, 38, were found at Mr Marshall's council-owned Gillygate bedsit over a fortnight ago.

Police launched a double murder inquiry after it was found that both men died from severe head injuries inflicted by a blunt weapon. Their bodies may have lain undiscovered for up to a week.

Detective Superintendent Javad Ali, who is leading the murder investigation, said finding the car was a "significant step forward" and that many of the police inquiries were now based in Leeds. He said: "We have visited numerous addresses in both the Leeds and York areas but the fact remains we have not traced Paul Marshall."

Updated: 10:35 Friday, December 19, 2003