A WASTE disposal site near York has become the focus of a hunt for a missing woman at the centre of a murder investigation.

More than two dozen police officers arrived at the Yorwaste landfill site at Rufforth, near York, to carry out an intensive search for the body of Sarah Elizabeth Mournian.

A 40-year-old man has been charged with her murder, although her body has not been found.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Officers from West Yorkshire Police are carrying out a search of the Rufforth site as part of the investigation into the murder of Sarah Elizabeth Mournian, from Huddersfield."

He said the 32-year-old woman was last seen in September 2007 in the Huddersfield area.

The police arrived on Monday morning and have been searching the site ever since.

City of York Council's executive member for neighbourhood services, Coun Andrew Waller said: "I have been informed of the search of the site, and clearly it is under the control of the police investigation."

Roger Lee, of Rufforth Parish Council, said: "We were informed of the search and we were asked to keep it confidential."

The landfill site - operated by North Yorkshire recycling and waste management company Yorwaste - is Harewood Whin, next to Rufforth Airfield on the B1224 York to Wetherby Road.

Of its 125 acres, 86 are used for burying rubbish - and of that, only a small per cent is in use at any one time. The rest is covered with topsoil.

Kevin Newton, 40, of Grisedale Avenue, Birkby, Huddersfield, is in custody awaiting trial for Sarah Mournian's murder. His home is boarded up after being at the centre of an intensive police forensic search following his arrest.

Yorwaste recycling and external affairs manager John Miller said: "Around 25 police officers arrived on Monday morning and have been here ever since.

"We have no idea how long they will be here. We have records of all deliveries to the site and where waste has been dumped at different parts of the site on different days.

"This has helped to narrow down the search. We are helping with their investigation into a missing woman. The site is still open. Our day-to-day operations are unaffected."

The investigation is being carried out by detectives from West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.

Ms Mournian was last seen alive in Huddersfield town centre on September 18 last year. Police launched a missing person inquiry following her disappearance.

Sarah was white and 5ft 4in tall with brown hair.

When last seen she was wearing a green or khaki-coloured jacket, a blue jumper, a black denim mini-skirt with orange stitching and black, knee-length boots. She was carrying a black rucksack type bag.

Most of the waste at the Yorwaste landfill site comes from York and surrounding areas in North Yorkshire, from contracted customers such as City of York Council and private companies.

Mr Miller said it is known as a "land raise" site, which means most of the waste is now on the surface and will be eventually covered in clay, earth and grass.