POLICE have re-opened a Hampshire murder investigation for a second time.

Linda Cook was 24 when she was sexually assaulted and murdered on an area of wasteland known as Merry Row in Portsmouth in the early hours of Tuesday December 9, 1986.

She was walking from a friend's house in Sultan Road, Buckland, to her home in Victoria Road South, Southsea, when she was attacked on the waste ground just off Lake Road in Landport.

Her partially-clothed body was found later that day, and a post mortem revealed that she had been asphyxiated.

She had also suffered a fractured jaw and spinal injuries, and the distinctive imprint of the sole of a training shoe had been left on her skin.

Michael Shirley, the man originally found guilty of killing her, had his conviction quashed back in 2003 following a hearing at the Court of Appeal. He was 18 at the time and 34 when he was released.

Detectives re-opened the case again under the name Operation Eckford shortly after Mr Shirley's release in 2003 and an appeal was made for new information. However the re-investigation did not lead to anyone being charged.

Now as DNA testing continues to improve the case has been re-opened once more.

Detective Inspector Darren O'Callaghan who is leading the new inquiry said: "We are using the further advancements in DNA testing to help us take this case forward. We will be using that, along with other evidence and any new information that may come in to help us in our investigation.

"This is a difficult investigation but we are doing all we can to try and trace the person responsible and bring them to justice.

"I would urge anyone who may have information about Linda's death, which they may not have told us before for whatever reason, to now come forward and do so."

The Operation Eckford Team can be contacted at the Major Crime Department at Fratton Police Station on 0845 045 4545 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.