POLICE leading the Julia Webb murder hunt have renewed an appeal for witnesses.

Mrs Webb was battered to death as she walked her pet labrador, in Kennel Lane, on July 22, last year.

Police have described four people, seen near the crime scene on the day of the murder - in the hope that people will come forward. They need to identify a man and woman who were seen entering Kennel Lane in a metallic powder blue car, similar to a Fiesta or Peugeot 205.

The woman, who was the passenger, was aged between 50 and 55 years, with light coloured, wavy, collar length hair, which was possibly greying.

The driver was in his mid 50s, with neatly cut short grey hair and a side parting. His face was round and plump.

A jogger was also seen in Kennel Woods at around 3.30pm on the day of the murder. He is described as a white man, between 20 and 25 years, with straight, sandy coloured hair and a moustache. He was wearing a red and white striped T-shirt with bold lettering on the front and blue shorts.

On the same day at 3.40pm, a green jeep with a distinctive chrome front, was seen coming from Kennel Lane, before turning right onto Chester Road.

The driver was a smartly dressed, clean shaven white man, in his mid 30s, with short dark hair.

Detective Inspector Eddie Smith said: "We would like to hear from anyone who has any information whatsoever which may assist us.

"I realise that, for personal reasons, some people may be embarrassed about calling the police, but we can assure that all calls will be treated with the strictest confidence.

"All we want to do is eliminate the people and get on with the job."

DI Smith added: "We still have an incident room dedicated to this investigation and more than 20 officers working on the case.

"We are still as determined as ever to get to the bottom of this crime."

Ring Northwich Police on 01606 48000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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