Cold case detectives have been given extra cash to re-examine three unsolved murders.

Home Office funding has been given to help Kent Police's Cold Case Investigation Team to fund forensic examination of items found at the murder scenes of three young women.

They are among 50 unsolved murders nationwide to receive the funding.

Wendy Knell, 26, was found dead in her bedsit in Tunbridge Wells on June 23 1987. She had been sexually assaulted and battered to death.

A breakthrough in forensic examination has led to a DNA profile being identified from the murder scene.

Officers have so far eliminated more than 500 people from their inquiries, and continue to re-examine evidence and appeal for information.

Caroline Pierce, 20, was last seen alive in November 1987 at her bedsit in Tunbridge Wells. Her strangled body was found three months later in a ditch 40 miles from her home.

Police believe the same killer may be responsible for both deaths.

Items recovered from the scene of a Dartford schoolgirl's murder are also being examined - using the latest in forensic science technology in a bid to identify new samples or gather DNA.

Schoolgirl Claire Tiltman, 16, was murdered in January 1993. It is hoped that the latest stage of forensic examination could lead to a successful conclusion.

Claire was stabbed in an alleyway just yards from her Greenhithe home as she took a short-cut to visit friends.

Head of the Kent Police's Cold Case Investigation Team Detective Chief Inspector Dave Withers said: "We are pleased that the Home Office are releasing money to assist forces to deal with these types of cases.

"The cases of Wendy Knell, Caroline Pierce and Claire Tiltman have always been high profile in the county and we will go to any lengths that we can to find the killers of these young ladies and bring the killers to justice, and bring some closure for the families."

Det Ch Insp Withers said the cash would be used to tighten the net on the offenders. Cases eligible for match-funding must be likely to benefit from further scientific testing.

He added: "In the case of Claire Tiltman we are examining items to see if we can find any further forensic evidence that will help identify the offender.

"In the Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce cases we have a DNA profile and can use the funding to establish whose DNA it is."

So far, Kent police have been given £30,000 in funding to research the cold cases.