PSYCHICS have uncovered vital clues in the hunt for the killer of Widnes mother-of-two Vera Anderson, the World can exclusively reveal.

Detectives are convinced it is only a matter of time before one of the biggest murder inquiries in Cheshire is solved.

It is exactly eight years ago this week since the bloodstained body of Vera, 42, was found slumped in the front seat of her car in an alleyway off Tannery Lane, Penketh.

In a violent struggle, she had been strangled and her throat slashed.

It was a brutal, sadistic attack. Yet despite a massive investigation, 6,500 interviews and a feature on BBC TV's Crimewatch, detectives still have no idea why she was killed.

Vera dashed out of her home in Hadfield Close, Halton View, at 10.10pm on Saturday, August 24, 1991 after receiving a mystery phone call.

She left her seven-year-old son Neil with a neighbour, saying she would be back in 10 minutes. Five hours later, she was found dead.

She had not been raped, robbed or sexually assaulted - her bank account and lifestyle showed no sign of wealth.

Her relatives and friends say she had no enemies.

Her daughter, Lorraine, 27, is convinced some local people are holding crucial information about the murder.

She says she cannot rest until her mother's killer is caught. In desperation, she has anonymously consulted several psychics.

"All the psychics have told me the same details," said Lorraine. "They have been able to tell me things about my mother they couldn't possibly have known. I definitely felt her presence.

"I have passed on all the information they have given me to the police.

"People don't seem to realise that as time goes on, it gets worse. I still don't sleep well at night.

"I would urge anyone who can help to come forward."

The murder inquiry is still open.

Det Sergeant Geraint Jones praised Lorraine for her efforts in tracking her mother's killer.

He said: "Lorraine has tried really hard and never left it. Some of the things she has come up with are good but it is difficult without evidence.

"She keeps at it. There is always a chance of finding out who it is.

"We did re-open the investigation 18 months ago when we received a number of inquiries.

"If something new comes in, we are willing to do that again.

"If someone has information, however small, we would like to hear from them. It isn't a problem that eight years has lapsed. They may have had their reasons for not talking then and we would understand.

"Every piece of information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

"This was a brutal violent attack on an ordinary, local family woman.

"We will dedicate more staff to this einquiry if anything new comes in."

Anyone with information is asked to ring Det Sergeant Geraint Jones on 01244 613831 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.