DETECTIVES hunting the killer of pregnant Preston mum Christine Askey have launched an appeal for information from the Asian community.

Christine, 20, pregnant with twins and mother of a three-year-old boy, was found strangled at her home on the Callon estate at 11.30am on Monday, November 29.

In trying to build a picture of her lifestyle and movements, police have received information that Christine was regularly visited by one or more young Asian men at her Nevett Street home.

Special posters appealing for help have now been produced by police in Urdu and Gujerati, in the hope that members of the Asian community will come forward with vital information.

Detective Superintendent Paul Buschini, leading the inquiry, said: "It may well be that members of Preston's Asian community can help us and I would appeal to them to come forward as soon as possible.

"We have set up a foreign language hotline on 01772 618827 and I would urge them to ring in confidence, if necessary.

"People can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.