DETECTIVES could be weeks away from solving the murder of a North-East woman.

They believe advances in DNA technology could see them finally solve the case of Julie Smailes, who was found dead in her County Durham home on October 30, 1996.

The 27-year-old had been tied up, strangled and stabbed more than 50 times, before her house was set alight to cover the killers' tracks.

Yesterday, on the seventh anniversary of her death, police confirmed that a fresh set of laboratory tests was being carried out on partial fingerprints and tiny amounts of blood from the crime scene.

Officers believe a new technique of extracting DNA from these small samples could lead them to the murderers.

The man leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson, said: "I am firmly convinced we are on the point of an important breakthrough in the hunt for the person or people involved in Julie's brutal murder.

"We have always thought scientists might one day provide evidence to complete the jigsaw, and we believe that day may now be just weeks away."

Crime scene investigators recovered hundreds of samples of blood, fingerprints, bodily fluids, hair and human tissue from Miss Smailes' house in Wingrove Terrace, Leadgate, near Consett.

Detectives believe up to four people may have been in the house shortly before, during and after the time of her death.

Among those implicated was John Thompson, whose body was found hanged from a tree in a wooded ravine near his home in Warwick Avenue, Moorside, near Consett, in August 1998.

His death came days after teenage babysitter Rachel Tough was found dead with head injuries in Mr Thompson's home.

Two years ago, Darren Willis, 30, of Park Villas, Leadgate, was arrested and charged with Miss Smailes' murder.

But the case was discontinued after there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

Miss Smailes' mother, Joy Gilmour, has since moved to Ireland.

In the past few weeks, Det Supt Stephenson has twice briefed her personally on developments in the case.

He urged anyone with information about the murder to contact Durham police headquarters on 0191-386 4929, or to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.