DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a woman, whose body was found in a dumped suitcase, say they have made a major breakthrough in their efforts to identify her.

The victim, whose bound and gagged body was discovered in a hedge outside Askham Richard, near York, last month, was from the south-east China Sea region, and aged in her late twenties.

That was the conclusion of Dr Sue Black, a renowned forensic anthropologist from Glasgow University.

Dr Black, who has worked in Kosovo and given evidence to the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague, was brought in to assist North Yorkshire Police with the investigation.

The gruesome discovery was made by a passer-by on November 18, although the body is thought to have lain there for about a fortnight.

Police are still hoping to track down a man who was spotted standing in the road, near where the case was found, at about 4am on November 2.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Ankers, who is leading the investigation, said: "Our main priority is still to establish the identity of the victim. This report from Dr Black is a significant step forward, as we have now narrowed the search parameters both in terms of her ethnic origin and her age.

"This will be a great advantage in terms of elimination as we continue to work through the many missing person reports we are examining. As we narrow down the potential matches, it will enable us to concentrate on more dedicated lines of inquiry.

"We are still awaiting reports, evidence and opinion from other scientific specialists, and I expect they will take us forward in due course."

Mr Ankers also revealed that police investigating the distinctive adhesive tape used to bind and gag the body now believe that as few as 850 rolls were sold.

The tape, designed by London artists Gilbert and George, was produced exclusively for the country's four Tate Galleries.

Mr Ankers said: "The tape is crucial to the inquiry, but response from the public has been quite poor."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room, on (01904) 618618.