DETECTIVES investigating the York body-in-a-suitcase mystery have received "a handful of suggestions" after issuing an e-fit of a suspect.

Officers have today also repeated an appeal for people who may have seen the suitcase, on a country road close to the A64, to come forward.

Last week, police released an image of a man who was seen by a villager on the lane near Askham Richard, on Friday, November 2, the earliest date the suitcase is thought to have been at the scene.

The suitcase, containing the body of a bound woman, was discovered on Monday, November 19.

The woman is thought to be of Asian or Oriental origin and aged between 20 and 40. Her identity is still not known.

A police spokesman said: "A handful of suggestions have been received following the issue of an e-fit of a man seen on November 2 very near where the suitcase was found.

"These will be followed up by the York-based detection team. Some people have also made contact with the mobile police station which has been in the area."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on (01904) 618618 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.

Updated: 10:49 Tuesday, December 11, 2001