KNIVES found near two murder scenes are among hundreds of forensic leads being investigated by murder detectives.

312 leads are being investigated following the murder of Jim Attfield, with a further 100 being examined related to the murder of Nahid Al-Manea.

Det Chief Supt Steve Worron said: "A number of these items are knives identified to the enquiry team by members of the public and recovered during the many searches carried out in Colchester.

"Work is continuing to establish if any of these knives can be connected to the murders."

A large number of other exhibits are being examined for DNA, fibre and footwear analysis.

More than 200 items have undergone fingerprint analysis at Essex Police headquarters in Chelmsford.

More than 100 detectives are also working through witness reports, including 100 calls made in the last few days following recent appeals.

24 reports concerned a man in a designer jacket.

Mr Worron said: "The response from the public continues to fuel our investigation and we would continue to urge anyone with any information however small or insignificant they think it is to call us.

"We still believe there are people who were on or nearby to the Salary Brook Trail at the time of Nahid’s murder who have not yet spoken to us.

"They may believe they have nothing of use to add to our investigation but if they were there or nearby we would really like to hear from them."

Nahid, 31, of Woodrow Way, Colchester, was murdered just before 10.40am on Tuesday, June 17, on the Salary Brook Trail.

Jim Attfield, 33, of East Bay, Colchester, was murdered in the early hours of the morning, before 6am, on Saturday, March 29.

He was found between Castle Park and Guildford Road on a path.

Anyone with information is asked to call 01245 282103 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.