The husband of missing nurse Marsha Wray has criticised police for failing to tell him of the latest lead in solving the mystery of her disappearance.

Murder hunt detectives began a search after a man walking his dog reported seeing a depression in the earth at Scotton Woods, near Knaresborough, only yards from where the Harrogate woman's car was seen parked two years ago.

But after investigating the area they were forced to admit they had drawn a blank.

Speaking about yesterday's search, Detective Superintendent Ian Lynch, of North Yorkshire CID, said: "The fact that the team of detectives and specialist scientists went straight to the site shows how seriously we take any report that could lead to us solving the mystery of the disappearance of Marsha Wray.

"Although we did not come up with anything new on this particular occasion we would hope that does not stop anyone who believes they may have information that could help us find Mrs Wray contacting us in the future."

Husband Colin and the couple's two children Philippa, 10, and Robert, seven, have heard nothing of her since January 1997.

And Mr Wray said police failed to tell him anything about yesterday's search, despite the media being informed.

He said: "The first thing I would have known is when I saw it in the papers or when the children's friends told them about it at school. Nobody told me at all.

"I would have thought it was reasonable practice just to let us know this was going on - more for the kids so they don't hear about it first at school, but we were not informed."

After being seen parked at Scotton Wood, Mrs Wray's car was recovered in Headingley, Leeds. Police believe whoever drove it to the city may hold the key to solving the mystery.

Mr Wray said: "We are just surviving from day to day and hoping that she is found or gets in contact with somebody to let us know what is going on.

"I hope that she is alive somewhere, wherever that may be, but if she is dead we just want her found so we know what has happened and we can at least start to get on with our lives.

"If she is alive and able to do so, I would plead with her to contact her own mother and let her know that she won't be back."

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