AN APPEAL by detectives investigating the brutal murder of Bournemouth mother-of-two Heather Barnett has led to "a positive response".

Senior investigating officer Det Supt Mark Cooper said: "We've had just over 30 calls, resulting in new lines of inquiry which are currently being followed up.

"Calls are still coming in to the incident room and there are still several suspects.

"Despite having had a positive response, it is crucial that we identify the owner of strands of hair found in Heather's right hand."

It was on November 12 in 2002 that the popular seamstress's two children came home from school to find their mother's mutilated body in the bathroom of their Charminster home.

The 48-year-old had been attacked with a hammer-like object and stabbed.

Five years after her murder new forensic evidence from hair found at the scene may hold the vital clue to catching her killer. Tests by Dr Stuart Black, a senior lecturer in environmental radioactivity at Reading University, are believed to show that the hair belonged to a UK resident who had travelled abroad twice during the three month period before it was cut.

The hair's owner first visited the Valencia to Almeria area of eastern Spain and/or the Marseille to Perpignan area of southern France between 78 and 84 days earlier, it is claimed.

Eighteen to 26 days before the hair was cut the person involved was in an urban part of the Tampa region of Florida, the scientist says.

DS Cooper renewed his call for help to trace the hair's owner after a Bournemouth detective appealed for help on Italian television to solve Heather Barnett's murder.

Det Insp Jez Noyce and Det Sgt Geoff Kerley will remain in Italy until at least the end of the week, liaising with officers investigating the disappearance of 16-year-old Elisa Claps in Potenza, southern Italy, in September 1993.

DS Cooper said: "They are continuing to assist the Italian authorities and examine possible links between Heather Barnett's murder and the Elisa Claps case, which has just been re-opened."

If you have any information which can help detectives phone 01202 222500 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.