Updated: THE father of Claudia Lawrence has been handing out posters of his missing daughter while retracing her route to work in a desperate appeal for information.

Peter Lawrence yesterday walked along Melrosegate with his close friend, Martin Dales, speaking with members of the public and showing them photos of Claudia.

The 62-year-old solicitor said it was an extremely difficult thing for him to do, but he was anxious to do everything possible to find his daughter.

“I’ve got to keep the fact that Claudia is still missing in the public eye,” he said.

“It is very difficult for me to do this, but it’s got to be done. It might jog somebody’s memory.

“There is no reason for her to be missing. There was no reason for her to go. She had no problems and wasn’t in any trouble.”

Peter, who is separated from Claudia’s mother, Joan, and lives in Slingsby, said his phone had been ringing non-stop with messages of support since Claudia vanished without trace seven days ago.

“People from all over the country and one from abroad have been in touch to say how sorry they are. The phone is going non-stop and emails are non-stop. Friends, family, clients and everybody have been absolutely fantastic.”

Claudia, who is single and lives alone, was last seen on Wednesday afternoon by colleagues at the University of York’s Goodricke College, where she worked as a chef.

That evening she was in a happy mood when she spoke to her parents on the phone, but the next morning she never arrived at work.

Police believe the 35-year-old disappeared at about 5.30am on Thursday, after she left her home in Heworth Road to walk to work. She left the house with no purse, bank cards, passport or spare clothes – nothing but the small rucksack she used to carry her chef’s whites to work.


* Download a copy of the Claudia Lawrence search appeal poster