More than 30 new witnesses have contacted detectives investigating disgraced gynaecologist Richard Neale, police said last night.

North Yorkshire Police said 34 people had come forward with new information in relation to the doctor who was struck off the medical register after carrying out botched operations on women under his care.

Neale was struck off by the General Medical Council in July 2000 after it heard how he put women through agonising pain and, in some cases, left them unable to have children. He was found guilty of botching operations on 12 women between 1985 and 1998.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Boynton, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that officers were pursuing fresh lines of inquiry.

''We are looking at some interesting new lines of inquiry which have developed,'' he said.

''These are cases that we hadn't previously heard of from new witnesses.

''If there is anyone who hasn't come forward who feels they have something to contribute, we would like to hear from them.''

Between 1985 and 1998 Neale worked mainly at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, but later had spells in Leicester and at the exclusive Portland Hospital, central London.

Neale had been struck off for serious incompetence in Canada in 1985, involving the deaths of two patients, but was still allowed to practise when he arrived in the UK, prompting criticism among his victims.

Earlier this month, a report into Neale from an independent inquiry launched in 2001 called for better checks before doctors are recruited, to spot concerns from past employment, and for a new body, or expansion of the powers of an existing body, to oversee the employment of doctors.

The Neale inquiry panel said that employers should make rigorous checks on doctors being employed from overseas as well as from other employers in this country.

They said that Neale was not subject to adequate checks on his clinical ability by his peers.

Their report also said that the actions taken by Yorkshire Regional Health Authority once it became aware of the situation in Canada was ''inadequate'' and criticised the complaints procedure which delayed action being taken against Neale.

Anyone with information for the inquiry team has been urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on (01423) 539854/5.

Read more about the Richard Neale scandal here.