A POLICE probe into the murder of former Cheshire woman Annie Eels and her colleague is turning into one of the biggest investigations ever carried out by West Mercia Constabulary.

The bodies of ex-Frodsham resident Mrs Eels, 55, and 24-year-old Samantha Tapper were discovered in Rachael's Health Studio at 13 Frankwell, Shrewsbury, at the beginning of July.

More officers have been drafted in to assist with the inquiry, now into its fourth week.

Detective Chief Inspector Sheila Thornes, in charge of the operation, said: 'This is a major inquiry with more than 60 officers continuing investigations.

'It is now more than three weeks since the bodies were found but there is no let up in our efforts to trace the killer. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done but we are definitely making headway.

'I remain confident that we will eventually bring the case to a successful conclusion.'

She said Press appeals had generated more than 340 messages and a total of 375 statements had already been taken with a further 83 people completing questionnaires. More than 1,000 names had been entered onto the database together with nearly 600 addresses.

DCI Thornes added: 'No effort is being spared to trace the offender.'

The two women were discovered in a downstairs room just before 2.45am on Sunday, July 2. Both died from severe head injuries.