Police stop vehicles in search for postmistress killer - VIDEO

Officers carried out the early morning census of traffic travelling into and out of the picturesque village of Melsonby, North Yorkshire.

Diana Garbutt, 40, was found dead in the upstairs living quarters of the post office on March 23.

Her husband Robin, 44, told police he discovered his wife's body after an armed raider confronted him in the store and made off with a substantial amount of cash.

A forensic examination of the property was continuing today along with door-to-door inquiries in the village.

Local Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector Ian Thompson made a fresh appeal today for people to come forward.

Speaking outside the post office, which remained cordoned-off today, he said: "I would like to reinforce the importance of providing North Yorkshire Police with information to enable us to bring Diana's killer to justice.

"We would still like to hear from anyone who was in the village between 8am and 9am on Tuesday morning last week, who has not already come forward, particularly in the Moor Road and St James' Close area. Please contact police if you have not already done so."

The inspector added: "Diana's husband Robin and family are distraught and continue to receive support from North Yorkshire Police at this very difficult time.

"Working on behalf of Diana's husband, family and the community in which they lived, we are determined to bring Diana's killer to justice but we need the assistance of members of the public to help us to do this."

The inspector went on to reassure residents that North Yorkshire Police would continue to "have a presence" in the village in the coming days.

Mr Garbutt told police he opened his shop at 4.30am on Tuesday and was confronted by the masked raider, who was carrying a gun, just after he opened up the post office part of the business at 8.30am.

He said the raider entered the shop just after 8.30am and said "We've got your wife" before demanding cash from the safe.

The robber then left with a substantial amount of cash in a holdall and Mr Garbutt went upstairs, where he found his wife, who had died from severe head injuries. Police said she had not been shot.

The ambulance service called police to the post office at 8.38am.

The store was targeted by armed robbers in March last year, when two men, one armed with what appeared to be a handgun, threatened staff and made off with stamps and a large amount of cash.

Last week, Mrs Garbutt's mother, Agnes Gaylor, made an emotional appeal for information and said her daughter's killer had destroyed her life as well.