POLICE have confirmed they are analysing a small number of items after a search of a house and grounds in connection with missing York chef Claudia Lawrence.

Police have refused to say where the items came from or whether they had been seized during the search of the house, in Ellerton, East Yorkshire. Analysis is likely to take a number of weeks.

About 20 officers descended on the village on Monday and conducted a two-day search of a property and surrounding grounds.

An underwater search team was also brought in to search culverts around the property.

No arrests have been made.

Claudia was last seen alive on March 18, 2009, and a police search was launched after she failed to turn up for work the following day at the University of York. The search was later classed as a murder inquiry as police believe she has come to harm.