DETECTIVES yesterday released an e-fit picture of a man they want to question over the murder of a woman, whose body was found in a dumped suitcase.

They are anxious to talk to the man, who was seen standing in a country lane outside the village of Askham Richard, near York, in the early hours of Friday, November 2 - only yards from the spot where the boy was found.

A villager who was setting off on a business trip told police he drove past a parked car and saw the man, dressed in dark clothing, standing in the middle of the lane at about 4.10am.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Ankers, who is leading the investigation, said the witness "clearly found it strange that someone was in that lane at that time of the morning".

He said: "Obviously, we want to identify this man. My main appeal is to ask him to come forward so that he can be eliminated from the inquiry. I would also like to hear from anyone who thinks they may recognise him."

Det Chief Insp Ankers said it was particularly significant that the first sighting of the suitcase in the lane was on November 2.

The man police want to question is described as in his late thirties to early forties, about 6ft, with dark brown scruffy hair and heavy stubble. He was wearing a black ski-type jacket, dark jeans or trousers and black gloves.

The car, which was about 20 metres from the junction with York Road, was a dark-coloured saloon.

The semi-naked body of the woman was discovered on November 18 by a passer-by. The woman, who was said to be aged 20 to 40 years and of Asian or Oriental origin, had been bound and gagged with distinctive adhesive tape. Her identity still remains a mystery and the cause of death is also unknown.

Last week, police released photographs of the tape, which was designed by London-based artists Gilbert and George and produced exclusively for the country's four Tate Galleries.

The rigid silver-grey suitcase that contained her body originated from the South Korean capital of Seoul.