THE distraught daughter of murdered pensioners James and Joan Britton yesterday made a heart-breaking plea for Britain's most wanted man to surrender.

Catherine Wilkins tried but failed to hold back the tears as she spoke of the "living hell" her family had suffered since the bodies were found last Sunday.

And the man leading the nationwide manhunt for fugitive Mark Hobson also had a message for the shaven-headed 34-year-old who has now been on the run for six days.

"There is no hiding place for you," said Detective Superintendent Javad Ali. "Sooner or later, we will find you."

Hobson is wanted in connection with the deaths of the Brittons, whose stabbed and beaten bodies were found at their home in Strensall, York, last Sunday.

He is also wanted in connection with the deaths of 27-year-old twins Claire and Diane Sanderson, whose naked bodies were found at his home in Camblesforth, near Selby, North Yorkshire, three hours earlier.

Yesterday, supported by her husband Alan, 48-year-old Mrs Wilkins, from Durham, told a Press conference in York: "No one can imagine the horror and distress that has been inflicted upon our family.

"The past few days have become a living hell as we try to come to terms with the shocking news that has left us devastated.

"The question we keep asking is why? Why would someone want to attack a lovely, elderly couple who could harm no one?

"Why would someone want to take their lives and the lives of two young women?

"You must know the damage you have inflicted, not only for your victims, but their relatives who will have to live with this memory for the rest of their lives.

"They were a frail and elderly couple who led a very quiet life. They were gentle, kind and liked by everyone in the village who knew them. They didn't deserve to die like this.

"All I can say to whoever is responsible is: Give yourself up."

Possible sightings of Hobson have been flooding in from all over the country with 175 calls yesterday alone, including one from New Zealand.

Almost 300 officers from the North Yorkshire force are being supplemented by teams from a dozen other forces backed by experts from a wide range of disciplines, including psychologists and geographical plotters.

Hard-drinking Hobson may be looking for alcohol and as a result pubs, off-licences and supermarkets are being put on the alert.

When he went on the run he had little money and no spare clothes, so burglaries, shop lifting and even washing line thefts are coming under special scrutiny.