Claudia police searched house in Yorkshire village

The property in Thornton-le-Dale, near Pickering, was searched by officers attempting to establish what has happened to the York University chef, who was last seen alive on March 18 last year.

However, a force spokeswoman confirmed that the searches had not resulted in "any significant developments". The operation was carried out on July 28, although details only emerged yesterday.

Miss Lawrence, who was 35 at the time of her disappearance, was last seen walking close to her Heworth Road home in York on the afternoon of March 18 last year.

Police announced last month that the inquiry, which has cost more than 700,000, was being scaled down.

A 30-minute documentary outlining the ordeal that Miss Lawrence's friends and family have endured since she vanished will be screened on Channel 4 at 7.30pm on Friday.