THE hunt for missing chef Claudia Lawrence took a new twist yesterday when police returned to her favourite pub.

Officers spent several hours searching the Nag’s Head on Heworth Road in York - just yards from Miss Lawrence’s own front door.

Senior detectives also spoke out to deny rumours circulating in the city that someone had been arrested in connection with the inquiry.

Miss Lawrence, a 35-year-old chef at York University’s Goodricke College, has now not been seen since March 18.

Despite a major police operation there has been no trace of her since a- and detectives have now formally classed the case as one of suspected murder.

Yesterday’s new search was the second time the pub, one of Miss Lawrence’s favourite haunts, has been examined by the investigation team.

A force spokesman described the search as "the latest element of what is a continuously developing investigation" but would not go any further on the reasons for it.

"The search is a detailed one and will take several hours to complete," he said.

"It is in addition to a search of the premises that took place on March 28 and forms an integral part of the overall search strategy that has been, and will continue to be, a central feature of the investigation."

In a separate effort to clear up rumours circulating in York he added: "Nobody has been arrested in relation to the Claudia Lawrence inquiry."

Miss Lawrence was a popular regular at the pub and just last month a charity music gig was held there in her honour and to raise awareness of the search.

Staff and regulars have been questioned by the inquiry team and some of their homes have even been searched as detectives try to cover all possible angles in their investigation.

The inquiry is the biggest held by the North Yorkshire force since the hunt for quadruple killer Mark Hobson five years ago.

Anybody who has information should contact police on 0845 6060 247 or Crimestoppers - who are offering a £10,000 reward - on 0800 555111.