THE father of missing university chef Claudia Lawrence has launched a website in a fresh effort to find his daughter who police fear may have been murdered.

Miss Lawrence, 35, was last seen near her home in Heworth, York, on March 18 and failed to arrive for her 6am shift at work at the University of York's Goodricke College the following day.

North Yorkshire Police have now formally classified the investigation into her disappearance as one of suspected murder and Crimestoppers offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.

Despite numerous appeals by the police and family, Miss Lawrence, who was brought up in Malton, North Yorkshire, has not been found or made contact with anybody.

Her father Peter Lawrence wrote on the website www.findclaudia.co.uk: "It is every parent's worst nightmare when something like this happens and the times the family are living through are indescribably difficult.

"We have, however, been much supported by people's prayers and compassionate thoughts and now our only desire is for Claudia to return to her family and friends.

"If you can help us in our search, we would be most grateful and the police will appreciate every piece of information you might be able to give them."

Last week, police urged a man who may hold vital information about Miss Lawrence's disappearance to get in touch.

A witness reported seeing a man and a woman in Melrosegate, York, at 5.35am on March 19.

The couple were seen on a bridge near an electricity substation on the route which Miss Lawrence normally took to walk to work.