"PLEASE help us get justice for Lucy."

That is the message from police investigating the murder of Southampton teenager Lucy McHugh as her friends return to school today after the summer holidays.

Police believe one of her classmates may know something which could unlock the mystery surrounding her killer's identity.

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 suspect she 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 today after the summer break.

Police are hoping pupils getting together and discussing Lucy's death, possibly with people they have not seen since before she was killed, will produce a new lead which could prove vital.

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton, leading the investigation, said: "Sadly Lucy won't be returning to school today 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 often feel the need to keep secrets but in this instance all that goes out of the window - this is a murder inquiry.

“We’re asking Lucy’s friends to think about conversations they had with her in the lead-up to Wednesday July 25 - the day she went missing.

“Did Lucy tell you about someone she was planning to meet that day - or had met before in the sports centre area?

“You may have kept something secret, but you won’t betray Lucy if you help us find her killer.

"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.

Nicholson confirmed he had been in contact with Lucy before her death but refused to let detectives view his Facebook account.

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