NEW CCTV footage has emerged which could shed new light on what happened to chef Claudia Lawrence – missing, presumed murdered.

Six years after the 35-year-old vanished without trace, the previously unreleased film shows two people seen near her home at a crucial moment in the timeline of events.

Detectives believe one could give them the key to finally solving the enduring mystery and end the continuing agony of her devastated family.

And in a bid to jog people’s memories police screened the video on a rolling loop for six hours today, March 18, near Claudia’s home in Heworth, York.

The footage was taken at about 7.15pm on the day she disappeared, a short while before she spoke to her parents on the phone for the last time before going missing later that night and failing to arrive at work the following morning.

“Of particular interest to the investigation team is the person who is seen walking down Heworth Place which leads to the back of Claudia’s house,” said Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn.

“The person goes out of camera shot but reappears just over a minute later. They appear to be carrying a bag over their shoulder.

“As the person heads back towards Heworth Road they suddenly stop when another unknown person walks past.

“Who is this? Do they live locally? What were they doing?

“If you can help to identify either person, please contact us as soon as possible. We are waiting to hear from you.”

The public screening took place between 3pm and 9pm and local residents were invited along after being leafleted earlier by police.

And although locals spoke of their sadness that Claudia had not been found, some said they could not think of any information which could help police after six years.

"It's so long ago - I can't even remember what I was doing that year never mind on that evening," said one.

Since the Major Crime Unit began a review of the case detectives have been developing a new line of enquiry with a focus on the alleyway behind Claudia’s home.

And the new footage is related to the growing significance of that alleyway in the active investigation.

Claudia was originally from Darlington and was brought up in Malton before moving to York. Police are treating her disappearance as suspected murder.