POLICE received seven call from the public after an appeal by the family of retired school teacher Betty Yates who was murdered at Bewdley.

Mrs Yates’ son David and daughter Hazel made a joint appeal for people to come forward with information about their mother’s death and urged the killer to hand himself in.

Following that, detectives received seven calls from people reporting sightings or offering new information which is now being assessed for its significance.

One of those related to a silver Audi seen in suspicious circumstances at the Texaco garage in Kidderminster Road, Bewdley, early one morning during the week when Mrs Yates was found murdered.

Mrs Yates was found stabbed to death at her cottage, Riverscroft, off Dowles Road, on the morning of Wednesday, January 4 although police believe she was killed on the evening of Bank Holiday Monday, January 2.

Police are keen to speak to the male driver of the vehicle seen at the filling station.

Despite an appeal last Friday, officers have also yet to trace the driver of a silver Audi estate which was seen driving from Dowles Road towards Button Oak early on the evening of 2 January.

The detective leading the murder hunt, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, said: “We don’t yet know if either of these sightings are in any way connected or indeed relevant to our investigation and can only do that by tracing the vehicle or vehicles concerned and anyone who was using them. We need these people to come forward so that they can be eliminated from our inquiries.

“It is pleasing that we are still receiving information and it is obvious that everyone been shocked by the brutality of this murder and people genuinely want to help.

"Due to the number of calls we have been receiving and the need to action many of them it has not always been possible to get back to everyone. However, I would just like to say thank you to all those people who have taken the time and trouble to pick up the phone.

“We feel that there is still someone out there in the Bewdley area who has key information that could help this investigation – even if it is just a suspicion about a person who may have been behaving strangely or out of character since Mrs Yates’s death.

“I would again urge anyone holding back information to get in touch and remind people that a reward of up to £10,000 has been offered by independent charity Crimestoppers for anyone who calls anonymously on 0800 555 111 with details leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.”

Mrs Yates celebrated her 77th birthday on 28 December and police want to speak to anyone who visited her at home between that date and Bank Holiday Monday, 2 January.

Detectives investigating the murder are based at Stourport Police Station and the Major Incident Room there can be contacted on 0300 333 3000.