THE murder of a pensioners has turned into one of Hampshire's biggest ever manhunts.

Two weeks on since the death of Georgina Edmonds, there are now 250 officers trying to track down her killer.

Detectives confirmed the drastic increase in manpower, which now includes vast search teams, as they reached the 14th day since the 77-year-old was bludgeoned to death in her cottage.

So far police working round the clock on Operation Columbian have received 180 calls from members of the public with information. They have also stopped more than 1,800 vehicles on the road in Brambridge and distributed 20,000 information packs containing vital clues including CCTV to homes across the area.

Searches have continued over 12 days including dive teams drafted in from Avon and Somerset to scour the River Itchen. Extensive house-to-house inquiries have also been carried out in Colden Common, Otterbourne, Eastleigh and Allbrook.

But whoever carried out the brutal attack on Mrs Edmonds, who was found dead in her kitchen at her home in Kiln Lane, still remains at large today.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Barton, who is leading the hunt for the killer, said: "This is a despicable crime committed against a vulnerable person in our community and we need the help of local residents to find the person or persons responsible for Mrs Edmonds's death. We are hopeful that residents are able to understand the lengths we must go to identify who is responsible and would urge people to come forward. No amount of information is too small - please contact us."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Operation Columbian incident room at Hulse Road, Southampton, on 0845 045 4545 or call the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.