POLICE investigating the death of a former teacher want to speak to a soldier.

The body of 44-year-old mother-of-four Debra McNicholas was discovered on Redcar beach, near the children's play area and paddling pool, more than a fortnight ago.

A post mortem established that Mrs McNicholas had drowned, but she had other unexplained injuries consistent with either a fall or an assault.

In June this year Mrs McNicholas was seen talking to a man in a khaki uniform with a black or blue beret pushed through an epaulette. This was on The Stray, a grassed area next to the Coast Road, Redcar, and not far from where her body was found months later.

Det Insp Gordon Lang said: "We are building up a picture of her lifestyle and the people she knew. She was a woman with a wide circle of friends and was known in the Redcar area.

"We know she left her home at about 11pm on the night of Saturday, September 15. Her body was found at 7am the following day on the beach.

"It is vital we piece together what happened and who she was with after 11pm. Many people have come forward but we have had no word from this military man who could provide valuable help for our inquiries."

Police also want to trace a pair of lady's black loafer shoes seen on The Stray early on the Sunday morning and a belted coat Mrs McNicholas was known to have been wearing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Redcar Police Station on (01642) 302690.