THE main suspect in the case of a Pendle woman brutally murdered 15 years ago has been cleared of involvement in her death.

Detectives hunting Cheryl Shackleton's killer today confirmed they had discounted the unnamed person from their investigation.

Mrs Shackleton, 34, was found dead in a London Park in February 1991after she left Nelson following the break-up of her marriage.

In April the case was reopened by the Metropolitan Police and Mrs Shackleton's son Sean who was nine at the time of his mother's death issued an appeal on TV programme Crimewatch. The suspect became the focal point of the investigation following the broadcast in which two callers named the same man. The appeal received 11 calls and a list of five possible offenders was drawn up.

As well as eliminating the main suspect five people who phoned the show cannot help officers any further, police said. However, the man leading the hunt today said detectives would continue to find the person responsible.

Det Insp Des Nelhams said: "We have been able to eliminate the suspect who had been named twice on Crimewatch. Also half of the witnesses from Crimewatch have been contacted and spoken to and cannot really assist or take the inquiry on any further."

Mrs Shackleton's partially clothed and severely beaten body was found Telegraph Hill Park in Brockley. Police believe she could have been sexually assaulted.

Following her marriage split Mrs Shackleton developed mental health problems and sold her Messenger Street home. She travelled round the country carrying large amounts of cash. She was married to Michael and the couple had a jewellery shop in the Arcade in Colne before they set up a stained glass business.

She was last seen in an off-licence in New Cross, London and died from shock, haemorrhaging and a ruptured liver along with other injuries, after being attacked in the early hours. A suitcase in which she carried her possessions has never been found.