DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a man who was found lying on a quiet country road claim their efforts are being thwarted by a lack of public help.

They have been disappointed by the response to an appeal for villagers to undergo DNA tests, as part of the hunt for the killer of 58-year-old David Williamson.

Mr Williamson was found on the road between Sutton-on-the-Forest and Huby, North Yorkshire, on March 26. He had been struck on the back of the head as he walked home from a party at his local pub.

Calls for the genetic fingerprints of all males aged over 14 in the two villages have been answered by only 100 people - a third of the expected response. Hundreds of those who stayed away from the testing centres may now be contacted.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Boynton, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We have had about 100 people come in for testing - we had expected 300. We may decide to contact those we haven't seen and ask them why they haven't been tested. We'll think about the next move after Sunday, but it is quite possible we will be getting in touch with those who stayed away. It is voluntary and we can't make people take part in the tests, but we would want to find out why people haven't.

"If anybody does have any concerns about the tests, then we will be pleased to talk about them in confidence."