Cliff Tiltman, when he made his bedside appeal in January this year

A father was due to go to his grave today not knowing who killed his beloved daughter Claire Tiltman.

Cliff Tiltman's funeral was being held today - nearly 20 years after his daughter was fatally stabbed in an alleyway just off the busy A226 London Road in Greenhithe.

Mr Tiltman waged a ceaseless campaign to bring her killer to justice - even making a desperate appeal from his nursing home bed in January this year.

But the 62-year-old lost his fight for life on September 14.

Now police have renewed their appeal for information on the unsolved murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Rob Vinson, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "Last month a good man went to his grave without ever seeing justice being served for the murder of his only daughter.

"This isn't the end of our investigation; we have always maintained that someone has information about this murder and we will continue to investigate it.

"I hope that the sad news of Cliff's passing might prompt someone to finally come forward with the key piece of information that we need to identify Claire's killer and help us bring this case to a successful conclusion."

"a good man went to his grave without ever seeing justice... for the murder of his only daughter" – dci rob vinson

Claire was just 16 when she was stabbed in an alleyway just off the busy A226 London Road in Greenhithe on 18 January 1993.

She had been on her way to visit a friend when she was attacked between 6pm and 6.30pm - a time when many road and rail commuters were returning home from work.

Speaking on the anniversary of her death in January, Cliff Tiltman had said: 'It would mean everything to me to find out, after all these years, who did this to Claire. It has been a long time, but I've never given up hope and never will.

"I can't begin to put into words how this has affected our family.

"Claire has gone. Her mum has gone. There is now only me. I try to stay strong but will still hide and cry my eyes out for an hour. She would have been 35 now - she was a good kid. I miss her to bits."

Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 01634 884010. Alternatively, telephone Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.