A KILLER remained on the loose today as detectives chased new leads in the effort to identify the battered body of a woman dumped near Droitwich.

Fifty calls flooded into the Pershore incident room yesterday after an appeal for information.

Three "particularly promising" leads on her identity were being followed up today as forces nationwide teamed up with West Mercia officers in scouring missing persons files.

But the officer leading the murder hunt, Det Supt Mel Shore, admitted this morning that the squad was no closer to identifying the victim or tracking down her killer.

Forensic teams stepped up their search for clues in the isolated lane near Junction 5 of the M5, where her body was dumped on Remembrance Sunday. No murder weapon has been found.

Mr Shore said the search was likely to continue into tomorrow and had been extended to nearby fields.

"We're making specific appeals and we're pleased at the response."

He confirmed that a white vest top and black shoes had been recovered from the lane.

"These will be subject to examination, but it's believed they did belong to the woman," he said.

The size 37 slip-ons have two-inch heels with Tipo Cudio written inside.

The victim died some time between 6pm on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday, when a man walking his dog found her naked corpse in the lane leading to Rashwood Nursing Home.

She was so badly battered, he said, "her best friend wouldn't recognise her".

She was white, aged between 16 and 25, 5ft 3in tall with blue-green eyes and collar-length brown hair. Both ears were pierced in two places, but no jewellery was found.

Any information on the Poppy Day murder should be passed to the incident room on 01527 586002 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.