ONE of the biggest manhunts since the Yorkshire Ripper case was under way last night for a serial killer thought to be responsible for five murders.

The discovery of the bodies of two more prostitutes yesterday confirmed detectives' worst fears - that they were dealing with a serial killer.

The bodies were found near Levington, a village to the south of Ipswich and a few miles from Suffolk Police headquarters.

A member of the public found the first corpse and a police helicopter spotted a second body nearby.

It takes to five the number of murdered prostitutes. Their bodies were all discovered near the A14, which links the port of Felixstowe with the Midlands.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull, who is leading the murder inquiry, told reporters the natural assumption was that the bodies were those of missing prostitutes Paula Clennell, originally from Berwick-uponTweed, Northumberland, and Annette Nicholls.

Last week, Miss Clennell was interviewed on television about the murders.

In an interview with ITV News, she said the killings had made her "a bit wary about getting into cars", but she would probably still do it anyway.

The hunt began on December 2 when the naked body of 25-year-old Gemma Adams was found in woodland at Hintlesham, on the outskirts of Ipswich.

She had last been seen on November 15.

On December 8, the body of 19-year-old Tania Nicol was found in nearby Copdock. She had last been seen on October 30.

At the weekend, the naked body of the third prostitute, Anneli Alderton, 24, from Colchester, Essex, was discovered in Nacton, a few miles further east.

The fourth and fifth bodies discovered near Levington yesterday were a mile or so from Nacton.

More than 100 officers are involved in the search for the killer.

Despite huge media coverage and exhaustive searches last night it appeared the investigation was no closer to a breakthrough.

A forensic psychologist said last night that police investigating the prostitute murders were now being "taunted" by the killer.

Dr Keith Ashcroft, an expert in sex crimes, also said the person responsible probably had a "grudge" against Suffolk Police.

Police said they were getting specialist support and advice from a number of other forces, including the Metropolitan Police.

Suffolk Chief Constable Alastair McWhirter described the inquiry as unprecedented, adding that it was still not known if there was one or more than one killer on the loose.

He said the force was bringing in assistance from other forces around the country to help in the inquiry.

Last night, Cleveland Police said they would be contacting the Suffolk force to examine possible links with the murder of a prostitute and the disappearance of two others in Middlesbrough several years ago.

Donna Keogh, 17, disappeared in April 1998 and 19-year-old Rachel Wilson was last seen in May 2002.

The body of 21-year-old Vicky Glass was found on the North York Moors in November 2000, two months after she disappeared.

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