THE parents of murdered student Sara Cameron have made an emotional plea for help catching their daughter's killer as they prepare for Christmas without her.

Finnish-born Sara's body was found in a field near her home in Earsdon, North Tyneside, on Good Friday.

Despite a massive investigation, police are still hunting for the murderer eight months on.

DNA samples have been taken from 2,100 people and officers have eliminated 1,600 from their inquiries.

The 23-year-old's father, Roy, yesterday spoke on behalf of Sara's mother, Sirpa.

He said: "Sara was very close to her mother. You can imagine how she feels that her only child has been taken away from her in a foreign country, in a place that's totally strange to her.

"People in Finland are constantly asking her what's happening in England, why haven't they found the killer.

"She wants me to say that this man, too, has a mother, perhaps he has a family. How do they feel with this knowledge? Do they know?

"If you do know anything at all, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, please pick up the phone."

Mr Cameron added: "Sara would have spent Christmas with her mother and her 85-year-old grandfather, out on the islands of the Finnish archipelago. They have a tradition at Christmas when they come together and gather in church and light a candle for their loved ones.

"What Sara's mother and I would like is for everyone who cares this Christmas to light a candle for Sara."

Detective Superintendent Steve Bolam, leading the inquiry, added: "There is a man out there who knows what he has done. We are not going to forget about him."

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 0191-214 6555, ext 63101, or 63105