THE uncle of a murdered mum has visited the stretch of North Yorkshire road where police believe she is buried.

Rania Alayed was reported missing from her home in Manchester in July last year, and detectives think her body was buried along the A19/A168 near Thirsk.

Police have searched for her body along the roadside and yesterday Rania’s uncle Ali Aydi went to the site to be updated by police officers.

Mr Aydi said: "Rania was taken from us six months ago when she was brutally murdered, in the most beautiful years of her life. She leaves behind three children who face life without her. Her body is still to be found, so we can give her a dignified burial.

"It has been very difficult for her parents who live in Lebanon and face an unknown future for their grandchildren. We are grateful to the community and the police for all they have done and continue to do.

"We appeal to the public who have any information to come forward.”

Detectives have established a white campervan drove from Manchester to the A19 around the time of her disappearance, and they believe it stopped at a layby in the early hours of Saturday, June 8 2013.

Officers have excavated a number of locations, all of which have now been ruled out.

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Marsh, of Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, said: “Since Rania disappeared her family have understandably been desperate for answers.

“We have kept them up-to-date on every major development and we felt it was important to invite them to one of the search locations so they can see first-hand what we’re doing.

“I understand it isn’t an easy journey to make but I admire their determination to help the police in any way they can. I hope that Ali Aydi will now be able to reassure the rest of Rania’s family that we are doing everything in our power to find their daughter’s body."

He also thanked the public for their help so far, and urged anyone else with information to come forward.

Anyone with information on the movements of the white camper van, should contact the Major Investigation Team on 0161 856 4711.

Three men have previously been charged in connection with Rania’s disappearance.