NEW CCTV footage showing the last recorded movements of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence has been released by police in a fresh appeal for information.

One image shows the 35-year-old leaving work at the University of York’s Roger Kirk Centre canteen on March 18 last year.

A second shows Claudia shortly afterwards walking along Melrosegate towards her home in Heworth Road after posting a letter.

They have been released to the public ahead of tonight’s BBC Crimewatch programme, during which Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway will reveal new leads in the suspected murder inquiry.

It is understood he will make a plea for information about a vehicle, which is shown in the third CCTV image, that police urgently need to trace.

The television appeal comes the day before a major awareness event in St Sampson’s Square, York, which has been organised by Claudia's family and friends to mark the eve of her 36th birthday.

Balloons carrying a luggage tag appealing for information will be released at 12.30pm tomorrow and a single candle will be lit on a huge birthday cake.

The last person to have spoken to Claudia was her mother, Joan, who phoned her daughter at about 8.10pm on March 18.

At 8.23pm, Claudia sent her last text, making a loose arrangement with a friend to meet up for a drink in the next couple of days.

At 9.12pm, she received a text from a friend living in Cyprus, but police do not know whether she read this message.

Police believe Claudia probably came to harm after meeting somebody she knew during her walk to work on March 19. She was due to start work at 6am, but never arrived.

Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible. If you have information to help the inquiry, phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247. Alternatively, phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.