DETECTIVES hunting for missing York chef Claudia Lawrence say another witness has come forward to say she was approached by a van driver in the Melrosegate area.

The Press revealed last month how a jogger contacted police following Claudia’s disappearance to raise concerns about the driver of an old, dirty and rusty white van who tried to speak to her in the street as she was running past.

The jogger said the incident happened in Melrosegate – which was part of Claudia’s route to work at the University of York – just before the 35-year-old Heworth woman went missing.

North Yorkshire Police say she told them she also saw the van approach one other woman and she thought the driver might have been asking directions.

Officers said they had nothing definitive to link the van to the Claudia investigation and dismissed claims by a source that the jogger had seen other women being approached by the van driver. However, they urged any other witnesses with information to come forward.

Police confirmed today that one woman had contacted them after reading The Press article, to report an incident in which she too had been approached in a road off Melrosegate by the driver of a van, which she had seen in Melrosegate a short time earlier.

Det Supt Ray Galloway, who is leading the Claudia inquiry, stressed that this incident had happened in June and the vehicle had not matched the description given by the first witnesses – it wasn’t white – and it was possible there could be a perfectly innocent explanation.

However, he said police were still investigating the information in a bid to assess whether it was of any relevance to the main investigation. He reiterated his original appeal for any other witnesses who could provide any information to come forward. “The appeal should relate to anybody who has been approached by a person in the area of Melrosegate/Heworth Road, especially in the early morning – 5.30am onwards,” added a force spokeswoman.

Claudia went missing on March 18, since when a massive police hunt has continued unabated, but without finding her or arresting anyone in connection with her suspected murder.

Much of the media attention in recent months has concerned the various men with whom she has had relationships. Early on in the inquiry, Det Supt Galloway stressed it was highly unlikely that she had been abducted by a stranger.

Anyone with information should phone police on 0845 6060247.