POLICE have arrested a man and woman in Hove in connection with the murder of a barmaid in Lincolnshire more than four years ago.

Lincolnshire detectives spent two weeks at Hove police station before making the arrests yesterday.

The battered body of 21-year-old Sharon Harper, from Grantham, was discovered by children in a disused car park in the town in 1994. She had been strangled.

The victim was last seen alive two days earlier after leaving a pub in the village of Westgate, where she worked.

Lincolnshire police re-opened the case last year after a tip-off from an anonymous caller.

The two arrested in Hove were taken for questioning to Grantham police station, where a third person is already helping inquiries.

The couple arrested in Hove are thought to have been living in the town for some time.

Miss Harper's young daughter Sara is now being raised by grandmother Jennifer Harper.

She said: "I am angry Sara is not with her mum - she is missing her so much. It is the thought of going through every day looking after Sara that is keeping us going."

Det Chief Insp Tony White, heading the inquiry, has sifted through 400 pieces of information from the public in the hunt for the killers.

He said the victim was a popular, single mother.

An incident room is running at Grantham police station and anyone with information should call 01476 592385 or 01476 562501.

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