THE final stages of DNA testing are to be carried out in two villages near York this weekend as part of an ongoing murder investigation.

The tests will be carried out by officers investigating the murder of David Williamson, 58, who was found in a country lane only a few hundred yards from his home in Sutton-on-the-Forest, near Easingwold, in March last year.

Detective Inspector Nigel Boynton, who is leading the investigation, said officers will be visiting addresses in Huby and Sutton-on-the-Forest throughout the weekend in order to complete a full DNA analysis of the two villages. Police are requesting the co-operation of residents as they visit homes they have not previously visited.

* An 18-year-old man from Ripon has appeared in court charged with murder.

Updated: 10:49 Friday, January 25, 2002