POLICE investigating the murder of Southampton schoolgirl Lucy McHugh are urging her friends to come forward with any information that could lead them to her killer.

Detectives are anxious to establish why the 13-year-old went to Southampton Sports Centre, where her body was found on July 26 - and who she was planning to meet.

They believe she may have confided in someone beforehand - and are urging that person to come forward.

Lucy lived at Mansel Road East and was a pupil at Redbridge Community School, which re-opens tomorrow after the summer break.

Police are hoping that pupils getting together and discussing Lucy's death, possibly with people they have not seen since before she was killed, will lead to someone coming forward with vital information.

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton, heading the investigation, said: "Sadly Lucy won't be returning to school tomorrow but her friends will be.

"One or more of them may have key information about what her plans were. Her body was found at Southampton Sports Centre, which is two miles from her home, and we need to know who she was going to meet.

"I feel sure that someone would have known what her plans were.

"Children tend to keep secrets but in this particular instance that all goes out of the window - this is a murder inquiry.

"Anyone coming forward with information might be worried about betraying Lucy. They won't be betraying Lucy - they will be helping to get justice for her and her family.

"They might also be worried about getting into trouble for sitting on information they've known for several weeks.

"I'd like to reassure them that they won't get into any trouble."

Appealing directly to Lucy's friends he added: "Please come forward, tell us what you know and let us deal with that information.

"Speak to a teacher, speak to your parents or speak to the police."

Last week chief suspect Stephen Nicholson, 24, was jailed for 14 months at Southampton Crown Court after refusing to divulge his Facebook password to officers investigating Lucy's death.

The schoolgirl was stabbed to death but police are still looking for the murder weapon.