POLICE have confirmed that the latest operation in the hunt for Claudia Lawrence was triggered after detectives traced a man who knew the missing York chef.

Search teams combed a house and grounds in a two-day operation earlier this week in Ellerton, in East Yorkshire, and removed a number of items. Forensic analysis of them is now taking place.

A force spokeswoman said she could not comment on the relationship between the man and Claudia but confirmed the man knew the York chef who was last seen alive on March 18, 2009.