£10,000 Claudia reward is reinstated

The Crimestoppers charity said last night it would continue to offer the sizeable reward, less than a fortnight after announcing its withdrawal.

On September 20, Crimestoppers said it could not keep such a large reward open indefinitely. Miss Lawrence, a chef at York University, has been missing since March 2009 and is feared dead.

But following concern expressed by her father, Peter Lawrence, and a fresh application from North Yorkshire Police, which has been running the investigation into her suspected murder, the money has been made available for a further three months. After that time, a fresh renewal will be required.

Mr Lawrence's close friend and spokesman, Martin Dale, said: "Obviously when it was clear the money was not going to be renewed, that was very disappointing for Peter, at a moment when we were actually trying to raise the reward with a top-up from somewhere else. Now the reward is back and of course Peter is very pleased."

A statement from Crimestoppers' director of operations, Dave Cording, said: "Following North Yorkshire Police's recent application to renew the enhanced reward on the Claudia Lawrence case, I have granted the 10,000 reward again for three months in the hope it will assist with their ongoing lines of enquiry."

Det Supt Ray Galloway, who is leading the investigation, added: "The Crimestoppers charity have given the investigation tremendous support. We are extremely pleased they have agreed to renew the reward again."