DETECTIVES hunting murdered teenager Jenny Nicholl said last night they had made a significant breakthrough after her teddy bear and CD player were found hidden in woods.

The items were found by police search teams at Sandbeck Plantation, near Richmond, North Yorkshire - less than a mile from where Jenny's car was found.

Detectives said the finds were a significant development and forensic tests were being carried out.

Jenny has not been seen since leaving the family home in Richmond on June 30 last year. Police believe she has been murdered. Her body has not been found.

The teddy bear and Goodmans radio, cassette and CD player were found on Monday last week, but police did not reveal the development until last night.

The 19-year-old's parents have confirmed the items belonged to their daughter.

Officers announced the existence of the missing toy in mid-December.

It was given to Jenny as a Christmas present when she was six, but had been put in the attic when she became a teenager.

Jenny retrieved it early last year and took it out of the house in May or June, saying a friend had offered to sew on new badges.

A replica of the bear was shown on the BBC's Crimewatch programme during an appeal by Jenny's mother, Ann.

Detective Inspector Pete Martin, who is leading the investigation, said: "At that time, we said the teddy was not at Jenny's home, nor in her car, which she abandoned at the Holly Hill public house.

"We speculated that the person or persons who know Jenny's whereabouts might have the bear or, more likely, may have disposed of it."

He said the teddy might have been concealed at Sandbeck Plantation, and was possibly unearthed when a tractor wheel ran over it.

"This is a significant find because it links Jenny Nicholl with that area of Sandbeck Plantation," said Det Insp Martin

"Of greater significance is the second find on Monday, Jenny's silver Goodmans radio/cassette/CD player. We know Jenny had this with her when she set out from her parents' house on June 30 last year."

The CD player was found a few metres from the teddy, concealed in an area used to dump rubbish

Det Insp Martin said: "Both these finds are important because they may provide us with significant forensic opportunities.

"The CD player is especially significant because it firmly links Jenny or someone who knows Jenny with that area, on a date after June 30.

"Jenny, or someone connected with her in some way, was there at a time after she set out from home.

"There will be extensive tests made on these items, and officers will continue their detailed searches of Sandbeck Plantation and beyond."

The search has centered on woods, moorland and disused lead mines on the outskirts of Richmond.

Officers believe Jenny's killer sent texts to her family and friends in the weeks after her disappearance.

Friends received messages sent from the Carlisle area on July 9. Five days later, her father received a text sent from the Jedburgh area, in the Scottish Borders.

The messages were sent from Jenny's Nokia 5210 mobile phone, which is still missing.

Earlier this month a team of retired senior detectives was brought in to review the case. The Army has also been asked to help in the search for Jenny's body.

Two men were arrested on suspicion on murder in January. One was released on police bail, the other was released without charge.

Anyone with information is asked to call the witness line on (01423) 539334 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.