THE distraught family of missing chef Claudia Lawrence have reacted with distress at claims she had a string of affairs with married men.

And they have spoken of their fears that the “unfair and unfounded opinion” could hinder the continuing efforts to find her.

Miss Lawrence has been missing from her home in Heworth, York, since March 18, when she failed to turn up for work at York University’s Goodricke College.

Police have mounted an intensive investigation, but no trace of the 35- year-old has been found – and detectives are now treating the case as one of suspected murder.

On BBC TV’s Crimewatch earlier this month the man leading the hunt, Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, suggested Miss Lawrence was involved in relationships of “complexity and mystery.” And a report in the Mail on Sunday, carried anonymous suggestions Miss Lawrence had relationships with married men.

It also quoted Beth Horwell, a nurse from Huntington, York, as saying her 38-year-old husband, Lee, had a two-month affair with Claudia about two-and-a-half years ago, after which the couple divorced.

Through his spokesman – family friend Martin Dales – Miss Lawrence’s father, Peter, expressed surprise she could have had time for such a relationship because of the amount of work she was doing.

However he said: “On the other hand, if that is what’s being discovered by the police and their inquiries, it is unfortunate and it comes as a shock and surprise.

“It is vitally important that the investigation goes on. It is regrettable, but if through these revelations there is some solution to finding out where Claudia is, then obviously one has to go on with that however distressing it may be.”

Mr Dales added: “She is a normal fun-loving individual who lives life to the full, but would never do anyone any harm. Claudia’s father and some of her closest friends feel that stories such as this detract from the essential task of finding Claudia after her not being in contact with family and friends for the past three months.”

Anyone who can help with the investigation is asked call police on 0845-60-60-24-7 or Crimestoppers, which is offering a £10,000 reward, on 0800-555-111.