HAMPSHIRE drivers could hold vital clues in the hunt for the killer of a Dorset woman, police belive.

Detectives found a woman in her early 40s dead in a flat in Bournemouth yesterday afternoon after concerns were raised she had failed to turn up to work.

Now officers leading the probe are hoping drivers in Hampshire could help lead them solve the case and build a picture of what happened.

Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team say they are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw a Peugeot 308 grey estate hire car in the county on Tuesday.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Mark Samuel said: “We are still building a picture of exactly what happened yesterday morning, Wednesday 25 March 2015. If anyone saw or heard anything suspicious in the Avon Close area of Bournemouth or has any other information that could be useful, I would urge them to please get in touch.

“We urgently need to trace a Peugeot 308 dark grey estate hire car with the registration HN14 HWC which we believe travelled in the Dorset and Hampshire areas and may be of significant interest to our investigation.

“This vehicle has damage above the wheel arch on the rear off-side following a previous accident and I am releasing a photo of this damage in the hope that it might jog someone’s memory.

“I am keen to hear from anyone who saw this vehicle being driven in Dorset or Hampshire between 4pm on Tuesday 24 March and 10pm on Wednesday 25 March 2015.”

A 52-year-old man, who was known to the victim, was arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody assisting police with their enquiries.