Nicola Payne: Police search woodland for mother missing for 25 years

Mother-of-one Nicola Payne disappeared without trace on December 14 that year while walking across waste ground to her parents' home in Coventry.

Police believe the 18-year-old, who left behind a baby son, was abducted and killed.

Two men were cleared of her murder after a trial last year.

For the last eight weeks, West Midlands Police has been carrying out a detailed fingertip search of a 400-metre stretch of woodland at the sprawling Coombe Country Park on the east side of the city.

Detectives said the searches had failed to turn up anything of relevance to the 18-year-old's disappearance but have vowed the investigation will continue.

It is the third time police have carried out searches at the 500-acre park which includes a lake, gullies, and streams.

Officers combed another area of the parkland in April last year.

The latest operation has covered a patch of wood between a car park and a flyover, which is bordered by a stream on one side and a main road on the other.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Slevin said the latest activity came after "credible" information from a man who had contacted the police earlier this year.

He said: "We had a credible witness come forward a while ago now and examining the information that witness has given us, led us back to Coombe Abbey to search an area that previously we hadn't looked at.

"That person saw two men acting suspiciously on the day that Nicola went missing in the wooded area behind me, adjacent to Brinklow Road, so between the fisheries' car park and A46 fly-over."

Mr Slevin said the search had been supported by wildlife rangers, scientists from various fields of expertise, and cadaver dogs.

He added: "The search is on-going, it's nearing completion now, but we'll continue until we've finished - either to find evidence Nicola was here that day or eliminate this area."

Mr Slevin said: "We made a promise to the family we would continue to investigate this and follow up any potential avenue, any information or any evidence and we continue to do that.

"There are many, many cases in the media much older than 25 years that have led to successful prosecutions.

"Forensic science is moving on apace, there have been DNA advances that have moved things on significantly.

"If we had any evidence that would support a prosecution - we would liaise with CPS to see if that supported charges against an individual."

In a direct appeal to the public, Mr Slevin said he was certain the vital piece of information which could lead them to Nicola was still out there.

Mr Slevin said: "We would urge anybody that has any information, no matter how small you think it is... there are people out there still holding information, that they may not think significant."

Two men, both aged 51, were cleared of Nicola's murder after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court last November.

Anyone with information should contact the investigation team on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.