THE detective leading the hunt for the vicious killer of divorcee Shirley Brown is appealing for two men seen just 200 yards away from her home to come forward.

Det Supt John Waterworth wants to interview the men, seen at around 4.30am on Saturday, June 8, walking together in Clayton Avenue, Lowton, close to Shirley's home.

They are described as both in their early 20s, white, about five feet 10 inches tall, with short hair. One was wearing a multi-coloured sweat top and carrying a red holdall, while the second man was carrying a grey coloured holdall.

Witnesses also saw two cars in the neighbourhood at around the same time. One was being driven along Garton Drive, Lowton, towards Slag Lane where it turned right towards Leigh. The second vehicle, also on Garton Drive, turned left onto Slag lane.

Shirley is believed to have been killed at about dawn on June 8. Neighbours reported hearing a scream coming from her home at about 4.30am.

She was found sexually assaulted and strangled with a pair of her own tights on her bed in the neat bungalow she shared with her 10 years-old son Richard, who had been away for the weekend with his father, Shirley's former husband, David.

Shirley had spent the Friday night in Billinge with a girl-friend with whom she was studying Shakespeare as part of a degree course at Newton-le-Willows. She had left Billinge at about 11pm and arrived home at about 11.45pm.

Supt. Waterworth said: "I want to make a fresh appeal for information concerning the murder of Shirley Brown. I am very interested to hear from anyone who saw Shirley after she left Billinge on Friday night, or anyone who has any information about her movements - friends, associates."

He added that it was possible for quiet-living Shirley to have had a boyfriend who, for reasons of his own, "possibly because of family commitments" has not come forward for fear his identity would become known. "If this is the case, then I appeal for such a person to come forward in total confidence," Mr. Waterworth said. Mr Waterworth also appealed for more information about Shirley's coat, a plum-purple coloured anorak, which was found on the Saturday morning by boys in bushes at nearby Unsworth Avenue. It may have been found somewhere else and dropped in the bushes.

The coat had a small yellow motif above its left breast pocket, a similar motif on centre of back, just below collar line, a zip pocket on left arm and the marking 'Ski Escape Quality Clothing Trespass'.

Supt. Waterworth said: "I need to identify the men seen on Clayton Avenue. It may be they were just walking through the area. I want to eliminate them from the inquiry. Equally as important are the drivers of the two vehicles. I need them to come forward to help in the investigation."

And he says he is convinced someone is covering up for the killer.

He added: "This is a particularly nasty murder and the person responsible must be found as soon as possible. I want people to really search their hearts and minds. If they have any suspicions as to who could be responsible, please contact the police. I believe someone may be covering up for the person responsible. It may be a member of their family or a relative or a neighbour.

"I would like people to ask themselves a simple question. Was a member of your family not at home between 4am and 6am on that Saturday morning? It could be that person is the person responsible for this murder! Someone is holding vital information. Please contact me."

Supt. Waterworth can be contacted at the Leigh Police Station Incident Room on 0161 856 7284 or 7282.

Turn to The Journal archives section for all the background to Shirley Brown's murder.

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