A £10,000 reward has been offered in the hunt for the brutal killer of mum-of-two Heather Barnett.

Almost two months since her battered body was discovered by her children, detectives are no closer to tracking down the murderer.

They are convinced that a member of the public may have information vital to the inquiry.

And they hope the reward, offered by the national Crimestoppers Trust, will encourage people to come

forward.

"Someone somewhere - perhaps several people - know who killed Heather and other people may have suspicions" said Detective Superintendent Phil James, leading the inquiry.

"Please think of Heather's two children, who have been brutally robbed of their mother. Please take time to examine your conscience."

Heather, a seamstress who was known as Bunny to her friends, was found dead on the afternoon of November 12 at her home at 211, Capstone Road, Charminster, Bournemouth.

Her horrified children, Caitlin 11, and Terry, now 15, discovered her body when they returned home from school.

Detectives said a hammer and a knife were used to kill the 48-year-old. She died of head injuries and her breasts had been removed. The murder weapons have not yet been found.

Det Supt James said a team of detectives has been working on the case throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

He urged anyone who was in the area of Capstone Road on the day of Heather's death to come forward.

He is also keen to hear from anyone who knew Heather in the past. She grew up in Sturminster Newton and worked at a hotel in Studland, near Swanage, in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Anyone with information can call the murder incident room on 01202 222555 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111. Police have stressed that all calls will be treated in confidence.

Incident room 01202 222555 Crimestoppers 0800 555111