POLICE investigating the death of a Darlington teenager found in a farm ditch are keen to trace a laptop computer which is known to have been in the possession of her alleged killer.

Detectives have been told by two sources close to Peter Chapman, the man accused of the manslaughter of 17-year-old Ashleigh Hall, that he had a black Acer laptop a week before Ashleigh left home for a meeting with a man she had contact with on the internet.

The trainee nanny's body was found on farmland close to the Little Chef restaurant near Sedgefield, County Durham, two weeks ago.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Harker, leading the investigation for Durham Police, said: "So far we have not found the computer.

"It may have been sold to an unsuspecting individual or trader, it may have been dumped by a roadside or deliberately hidden.

"We are investigating all possibilities, but the help of the public in this matter is vital.

"We want to hear from anyone who knows anything about this laptop, which we are told looked new.

"Our ongoing inquiries into internet contacts are extensive and the recovery of this machine would play a key role in this investigation."

A Durham Police spokesman said anyone who had bought the machine from Chapman, or found one or who knew who had it should contact them immediately.

Chapman, 32, appeared before a judge at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday charged with the kidnap and manslaughter of Ashleigh, and an additional charge of failing to notify a new address as required by the Sex Offenders Act.

He did not enter pleas.

The case was adjourned until January and Chapman was remanded in custody.