THE killer of 10-year-old Lauren Pilkington-Smith would have been heavily blood-stained after her murder, detectives have revealed.

The Leigh schoolgirl, who was found battered to death in thick undergrowth just yards from her home, was killed in a "violent and brutal" attack.

And officers hunting her killer urged people who spotted anyone with bloodstained clothes to get in touch with them.

Murder squad detectives are still trying to trace two boys who were seen playing with Lauren just hours before her body was discovered by her grandfather at the end of Sanderson Street, Leigh, last Friday.

Lauren, of Twist Lane, Leigh, died from multiple blows to the head.

Three men arrested last weekend have been released by detectives as part of a process to eliminate suspects but a 44-year-old man from Wigan was also expected to be quizzed.

Forensics officers were also examining a car found submerged in a lake less than half a mile away from the wooded area where Lauren's body was found.

Police chief Supt Shaun Currie said: "What we are dealing with is a violent and brutal attack on an innocent 10-year-old girl.

"It is likely that whoever did this would have had blood on them.

"We want people to think back to last week."

He added: "Ask yourselves did I see someone with blood on their clothing or body? Or perhaps you may remember someone wanting to wash themselves or their clothes urgently on that evening."

Police have revealed that Lauren was playing cricket with friends around Sanderson Street and Pilling Street - 200 yards from her home - from 4.30pm.

Lauren, who liked playing sport and supported Manchester United, called at her home at regular intervals and was last seen leaving her house between 7pm and 7.15pm.