DETECTIVES and forensic experts have today started their fifth day searching a house in York, as they continue to investigate the suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence.

Forensic teams and sniffer dogs have searched the Burnholme Grove property since Tuesday, when a 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Claudia, who went missing in 2009.

A number of items have been removed from the house by police since former University of York worker Michael Snelling was arrested at a relative’s house in North Shields, Tyneside, on Tuesday.

Two police tents have been put up to the rear of the semi-detached house in York and remained there all week, and forensics teams have attached plastic sheeting to parts of the garage.

The majority of police activity has so far been in the house and garage, with officers seen entering the house carrying small, portable lights and a small ladder, and removing items of various sizes, including papers, bottles, and larger, bulkier items.

Some have been returned to the house, but others were taken away for further examination.

Police have also been searching a house in North Shields, Tyneside, under the investigation.

Claudia was 35 when she disappeared in March 2009, and her family and friends have been leading a campaign around the country to keep her in the national eye.

Although several people have been arrested and cautioned over hoax communications in the five years since Claudia’s disappearance, Mr Snelling is the first person to be arrested in connection with Claudia’s disappearance.

His arrest on Tuesday saw the national media descend on the ordinarily quiet cul-de-sac to monitor the searches, and he was released on conditional bail on Wednesday evening as enquiries continue.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman told The Press inquiries at the property would be continuing over the weekend.