VILLAGERS in two rural North Yorkshire communities are to have their genetic fingerprints taken by detectives hunting the killer of a local man.

Police investigating the murder of David Williamson, who was attacked near to his home in Sutton-on-the-Forest, near Easingwold, believe a DNA profile isolated from evidence at the scene could be a major breakthrough in the investigation.

Dog walkers and people who used the roadside path between Sutton-on-the-Forest and nearby Huby around the time of Mr Williamson's death will be among the first to be tested.

People who were drinking in the Star Inn in Huby, where Mr Williamson was last seen the night before he was found, will also be tested.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Boynton said: "Scientific testing has been ongoing and those tests have now provided us with a DNA profile which I believe could be that of the killer."

He urged people to comply with the screening programme "if they have nothing to hide".

He said for operational reasons he was unable to give any precise information about the DNA.

But he said: "Suffice to say that I am hopeful that this could be the major breakthrough we have been looking for."

He said the voluntary screening programme would initially include about 80 people, but could be extended.

He said the testing programme would begin in a few days. He appealed to people to wait for the police to contact them.

He said the testing process involved simply placing a swab inside the person's mouth.

Mr Williamson was found unconscious and dying by the roadside on March 26. He had suffered a fractured skull after being struck from behind with a blunt object.

Updated: 15:06 Tuesday, July 31, 2001