AN ALICE Rye lookalike gave police false hope this week when detectives thought they had uncovered a new lead in the hunt for her killer.

The licensee of the Twenty Row pub, Wallasey Village, told police that 'Alice' and a mystery man were regular visitors to his pub.

He said that Alice and the man visited the Twenty Row once a week over a two year period.

An artist's impression of the man was released, with detectives on the murder enquiry hopeful of a new breakthrough, four months after the 74-year-old was found dead at her Spital home.

Hopes were dashed when a woman described by Det Chief Inspector George Denton as "bearing a striking resemblance to Alice Rye" came forward. The woman requested confidentiality and won't be named, nor will the man, who police have eliminated from the enquiry.

Detectives now return to other leads, including those from the reconstruction on BBC's Crimewatch. Police are still looking for a 30-year-old man seen walking in the road near Alice's home.

Property stolen from Mrs Rye's home has not been recovered. Items include a gold bracelet, Omega watch, credit cards and a cheque book. A young couple, seen in their car in Alice's street, have not been eliminated either.

Officer leading the enquiry, Geoff Harrison, said: "With the help of the press, the couple seen in the pub have been eliminated from the enquiry. We're following up other leads. We're keen for information on the property stolen from the house, the man in the road and the couple in the car."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the murder hotline at Wallasey Police Station on 777-2929.

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