A MANHUNT has been sparked for a wealthy businessman after his tycoon girlfriend was found battered in a prestigious Paris hotel.

Ian Griffin, aged 39, who recently lived in Knutsford, but whose parents live in Warrington, allegedly went missing after the body of Polish millionairess, 36-year-old Kinga Legg, was discovered by a cleaner in the bathroom of the £1,000 a night Hotel Bristol.

Police said she checked in alone on Monday night, but her wealthy boyfriend arrived from London by car and checked into the same hotel hours later.

The woman's badly-bruised body was found on Tuesday evening, by which time Griffin had disappeared, along with his grey Porsche 911 sports car.

It is understood that Ms Legg had sustained serious head injuries after being bludgeoned with a lampstand.

Police confirmed there was clear evidence of a struggle in the room of the hotel, which is a haunt of celebrities and top politicians.

A police spokesman said: “We know that the woman arrived on her own and we understand that there had been some problems in her relationship.

“Then her boyfriend turned up and checked in. We do not know what happened after that until the woman's body was found in the bath by one of the hotel cleaners.

“The man had arrived in a Porsche, according to the hotel staff, and he and the car disappeared before the alarm was raised.

“We are investigating what could have caused a vicious attack on this woman and we have a nationwide search going on for the boyfriend.”

Ms Legg had also previously lived in Knutsford, where she started an affair with former telecoms firm boss Griffin three years ago.

Cheshire Police have been guarding Griffin's parents' mansion on Delph Lane, Winwick since earlier this morning.

A spokesman for the force said: "Cheshire Police are aware of the French murder enquiry relating to the death of Kinga Legg.

"We are also aware that the investigation may have links to the Cheshire area and we are making enquiries at premises linked to individuals within the case.

"Surrey police have made similar enquiries at other premises.

"At this point in the investigation it would not be appropriate to go into more detail.’