DETECTIVES hunting the killer of Amanda "Milly" Dowler this afternoon released a picture of a mug which forms a vital link in their investigation.

Detectives from the Surrey force have been working in Sunderland for a number of weeks, following the discovery of DNA on a mug in a Ryhope church.

This DNA has been matched with DNA from an item of clothing which investigators took from Amanda's bedroom after she disappeared.

Although police are not directly linking this match with Amanda's abduction and murder, they need to eliminate the match from enquiries.

Almost 60 men in the Ryhope area have provided mouth swabs in support of the investigation, but no DNA match has been made to date.

Detective Superintendent Steve Scott from Surrey said: "We've had enormous support from Northumbria Police and people in the Sunderland area but we would still like to identify the person who left their DNA on this mug."

As a result of police enquiries a woman who bought the mug, and donated it along with three others to the church, has come forward.

Police now need to establish who drank from this mug on or around Halloween, Thursday, October 31, last year.

On that day, there was a theft at the church. The offenders have been identified but their DNA does not match that recovered from the mug.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Wade, Sunderland West Area Command, said: " We've been working closely with our colleagues from Surrey and will do all we can to help them with this difficult investigation.

"What we need now is for someone to remember either drinking from this mug or being in the church around Halloween time last year and seeing someone else using it."

Anyone with information is asked to contact: 0845 125 2222.