The heartbroken family of Sutton-on-the-Forest murder victim David Williamson have made a desperate plea for information as they said their final farewells at his funeral in York today.

Mr Williamson was found unconscious with a fractured skull on a roadside path not far from his home in the village two months ago and died later the same day in hospital.

His family, who were attending a service at York Crematorium today, say they will only be able to begin the healing process once his killer has been caught.

His sister, Barbara Sherwood, said today: "Only when this inquiry has come to a conclusion will the healing begin for our family and for the villagers of Huby and Sutton-on-the-Forest.

"We would like the communities of both villages to have their once peaceful village and its way of life returned to normal, not for it to be darkened by the mystery that surrounds it."

Detectives probing the murder have complained of a "surprising" lack of information coming in and Mrs Sherwood today renewed the family's appeal for help.

She said: "We are now all finally able to say goodbye to David and feel some comfort from knowing he will rest in peace.

"David was a dear, kind brother to me, he was a devoted uncle to my two daughters and was especially close to my elderly parents (Olive and Isaac) who he was in touch with daily. He was always willing to help anyone and is missed far more than we can say."

She said that on Monday it would be two months exactly since he died.

"The family are devastated that this still remains unsolved," she added.

"We know the police are doing all they can to find the person responsible for David's death but they still require more witnesses who know anything to come forward to help.

"We believe that someone, somewhere, has the key to the circumstances surrounding David's death and we are pleading to that person to come forward.

"We are desperate to trace the dark saloon car park at Bentley's Barn on the night my brother was attacked. I beg you to come forward in confidence, at least this would eliminate your involvement in the horrendous crime. Maybe you should not have been where you were. I promise any information you pass on to the police will be treated in the strictest confidence."

Updated: 10:52 Friday, May 25, 2001