A senior detective has appealed for information to track down a killer who sexually assaulted and strangled a woman in 1991.

West Mercia Police said it remains unclear whether mother-of-three Janine Downes was killed by a stranger or someone she knew.

The body of the 22-year-old sex worker was found in a lay-by on the A464 close to Hatton, near Shifnal in Shropshire, on February 2, 1991.

In an appeal marking the 30th anniversary of the killing, Detective Inspector Lee Holehouse said: “To date, despite a continuous and full investigation and several arrests being made, nobody has been charged with her murder and I desperately want to change that.

Janine’s family have lived without closure for far too long. If you know what happened or have any information which may help, please help us

“We the police are still unclear as to what happened to Janine in the hours and days before her death. We are unclear as to whether it’s likely that Janine was killed by a stranger or someone known to her.

“We do know that Janine was a sex worker working in the Wolverhampton area at around the time of her death, and would appeal to anybody who was within this circle at the time, or even now and who may have information, to contact us.

“Moreover, I appeal to anybody with any information which may lead to the identity of Janine’s killer to get in touch in order that we can get the justice that Janine and her family deserve.”

Ms Downes, whose partially clothed body was hidden in a hedge, lived in the Wolverhampton area at the time of her murder.

Mr Holehouse added: “Somebody somewhere knows what happened.

“Janine’s family have lived without closure for far too long. If you know what happened or have any information which may help, please help us.”

Anyone with information to assist the inquiry is urged to pass information to the West Mercia Police website or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.