Claudia Lawrence appeal response 'amazing' says father

Police want to trace two men in the search for missing York chef Claudia Lawrence

The father of missing Claudia Lawrence has said he was "totally amazed" by the response to a Crimewatch appeal five years after her disappearance.

Peter Lawrence's comments came as 10 people called the police incident room after Wednesday's BBC programme.

A murder investigation was launched after the 35-year-old chef vanished on 18 March 2009, in York.

New appeals hope to identify two vehicles and two men seen near Ms Lawrence's home five years ago.

Mr Lawrence said: "It's important that these people do come forward."

Another 10 people have also contacted the force in response to media coverage about the long-running case during the week, police said.

"I'm totally amazed that there's new information coming out and that people are reacting to it.

"If you recall, we've been saying for five years that people out there do have information", Mr Lawrence said.

It was "very unfortunate" the CCTV information had not been released before now he added.

Mr Lawrence said people would have more easily remembered where they were five years ago, rather than five years on.

Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

North Yorkshire Police have a new website dedicated to the Claudia Lawrence investigation.

Its "commitment and determination to solve the case... is undiminished by the passage of time", the force said.