NEIGHBOURS were intrigued when the world's press descended on their street yesterday in connection with a murder investigation.

Sandringham Road, in Hartlepool, became the latest media hotspot as the country focused on the Suffolk murders.

The former wife of one man in custody was bombarded with requests to speak to local and national media, including television.

Wheelchair-bound Diane Cole had been polite at first by repeatedly answering the door, but soon became tired of speaking to reporters.

The home she shares with partner Bill was busy with visitors and well-wishers, looking out for their neighbour.

Reporters stood waiting, in freezing temperatures, for more information into the former life of Steve Wright, who was last night still in police custody as officers investigated the murder of five prostitutes in Ipswich.

Offers of huge cash payments came flooding through Ms Cole's letterbox.

But she remained behind closed doors, refusing to speak about her second marriage in 1987, which lasted only one year.

Neighbours seemed bemused by the sudden interest in their normally quiet road, standing on their doorsteps asking questions.

Even a traffic warden arrived to query the larger-than- usual amount of cars in the street, which is controlled by resident permits.

He said there had been a report from concerned residents about the number of vehicles and asked the waiting reporters to move their cars out of the street "to keep the neighbours happy".

The warden commented that he thought the crowd of men in suits were police officers and hung around as a spectator to see if he could catch a glimpse of the reporters in action.

As dusk fell last night, and temperatures fell below freezing again, the press dispersed in the hope that Ms Cole would respond to their written requests for an exclusive interview by telephone.