MYSTERY strands of hair and a footprint in blood could finally lead detectives to the brutal killer of Bournemouth mother-of-two Heather Barnett.

Almost ten months after Ms Barnett's horrified children discovered her mutilated body in their bathroom, police have revealed vital new evidence.

The popular seamstress was stabbed several times and hit over the head with a blunt hammer-like object on November 12 last year.

Three days after what would have been Ms Barnett's 49th birthday it has emerged that she was found with strands of hair in her hands.

Detective Superintendent Phil James said: "The hair in both Heather's hands had been cut and did not come from her.

"Because there were no roots attached we believe it was not pulled from the killer's head during a struggle. That means it could only have been placed in her hands.

"We are trying to identify where the strands of cut hair came from and I am appealing to anyone who could help to contact us in confidence."

Detectives from Dorset's major crime investigation team have travelled to America to identify a training shoe thought to belong to Ms Barnett's killer.

With the help of an expert at the Nike company in Portland, Oregon, who appeared as an expert witness in the O J Simpson trial, they have matched a footprint in blood found at Ms Barnett's ground floor flat in Capstone Road, Charminster, with a particular style of shoe.

DS James said: "Nike have told us that the sole print found in Heather's flat belonged to Nike's Terra-Part range. Only 1,000 have been sold in the United Kingdom.

"The range is quite distinctive and was produced in four basic colours; black, white, blue and red.

"According to Nike's expert, we are looking for a trainer between the sizes of nine and ten.

"I am appealing to anyone who owns - or has owned - a Terra-Part Nike since November last year or anyone who recognises the footprint or knows someone who has disposed of that kind of shoe to contact us immediately."

Police have revealed that Ms Barnett's children; Terry, 14, and Caitlin, 11, are still living in Dorset and struggling to come to terms with their discovery.

"It is probably one of the most traumatic murders you could imagine; for two children to come home from school and find their mother brutally murdered," said DS James.

A £10,000 reward is still being offered by the London-based Crimestoppers charity for information leading to Ms Barnett's killer being brought to justice.

Witnesses and anyone who can help detectives should phone 01202 222500 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.