POLICE hunting a man wanted in connection with the murder of a Salford woman say he has links with Warrington and was recently spotted in the town.

Detectives are appealing for information on the whereabouts of George Appleton, who has friends in Warrington, after the badly burned body of 36–year–old Clare Wood was found in her house in Blackfriars on Friday afternoon.

Officers are warning the public, especially women, not to approach 40–year–old Appleton, also of Salford, but to call police immediately.

Women contacted by Appleton via dating websites and social networking sites such as Facebook are also urged to get in touch.

Superintendent Ian Palmer from Salford’s division said: “We have reason to believe that whoever killed Clare Wood is a dangerous individual and we want to reassure people that we are using absolutely every tool at our disposal to find them.

“Appleton is key to this inquiry and we really need to speak to him.

“The safety of the public is our primary concern but we’re also worried that Appleton might hurt himself in some way and we want to make sure that he is not injured and in need of help.

“If you have heard from this man in the last few days please call us immediately as the information you have could be vital to this murder investigation.

“Appleton, if you are hearing this appeal please contact us straight away.”

CCTV footage of the 40–year–old taken outside his house on Thursday has been released and shows him wearing tracksuit bottoms with a white stripe, white Reebok trainers, a dark coloured puffer jacket and a woolly hat with brown, red and purple stripes.

Police believe Appleton, who has links to the travelling community and has worked on fairground sites, may be driving a red Ford Escort estate registration N554 HYG and could be sleeping in this car.

Clare’s grandparents Geoff and Catherine Camponi said: “Clare was a lovely kind person who would never harm anyone. She was lovely to be with and very cheerful.

“She was a bundle of fun, she’d have given you the last penny she had. She did not deserve what’s happened to her.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call Salford police in confidence on 0161 8565351 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.