I didn't do it, body in lake suspect

Bernard Tomansini spoke out as Lund began his second week in a prison cell in France following his arrest at the rambling farmhouse he and Evelyn moved to from Darwen in 1997.

Former Rossendale woman Evelyn, 52, disappeared on December 29, 1999 after visiting friends.

Despite the largest missing person hunt in the region's history, Evelyn's body was not found until 22 months later, when it was discovered at the bottom of a drought-hit lake close by.

Lund, now 52, was quizzed by police twice but has always protested his innocence.

He was arrested at 6am last Monday by police who had waited for him to return from a trip to Blackburn. During that trip he had begun action to try to access the money in Evelyn's will.

It is understood he he has made a brief appearance before a judge, when he told the court: "No, I did not kill Evelyn! I am ready to swear it in front of you and the Bible."

No new court date has been set and Mr Tomansini said his client was continuing to deny any involvement in his wife's disappearance. Public prosecutor Danielle Drouy Ayral, said: "He has been placed under formal investigation due to precise and matching charges which weigh against him.

"There is not one element which is more important than the others.

"The collection of evidence, as well as the reconstruction of the facts and the forensic reports, all counted."

Evelyn's family, including her three daughters who all live in Blackburn, last week spoke to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph to say they hoped that one day they would get their mother's body back.

They want to scatter her ashes at Burnley Cemetery, where her first husband, and their father Arthur Taylor, also had his ashes scattered.

In France, a committee has been set up by his supporters, including his lodger and former Blackburn woman Barbara Bullen, to get Lund out of jail in the small town of Albi, close to the hamlet where he lived.