DETECTIVES investigating the disappearance of university chef Claudia Lawrence are trying to track down two men who they believe could be key witnesses.

Images of both were captured on CCTV near the 35- year-old’s home early in the morning on the day she failed to turn up for work.

Despite an intensive police operation, their identities have not been established, and officers want to trace them as soon as possible.

Miss Lawrence was last seen on the afternoon of March 18, not long after she finished her shift at Goodricke College, York University.

Her disappearance has led to North Yorkshire Police’s biggest operation since the hunt for quadruple killer Mark Hobson five years ago – and they are now treating the case as suspected murder.

CCTV footage released yesterday shows a man in Lime Court, just off Heworth Road, York, where Miss Lawrence lives.

At about 5.50am on Thursday, March 19, the man walks from Heworth Road towards the rear of the terrace in which Miss Lawrence lives.

He disappears from view for about one minute, then reappears and walks back into Heworth Road.

The other man can be seen for a few seconds walking on the opposite side of Heworth Road. He was wearing a lightcoloured top and carrying a light-coloured item, which could be a bag or a newspaper.

He was also picked up on CCTV at about 5.55am walking past the Costcutter shop in Heworth Road, at the junction with East Parade and Dale’s Lane.

The man leading the inquiry, Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, said he urgently wanted to speak to the two men.

He said: “I need to ask these two men if they recall seeing anything unusual or suspicious that morning, or even if they possibly saw a woman matching Claudia’s description or any other person who was out and about at that early time.

“Even the smallest, seemingly insignificant piece of information could prove vital.”

Crimestoppers is offering a £10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for Miss Lawrence’s disappearance.

Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 0845-60- 60-247 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.