THE saga of one of Britain's longest running murder cases continues this week as Gordon Park pledged to fight to clear his name, reports Jennie Dennett.

Barely a week into his life sentence for killing his wife Carol, the 61-year-old retired teacher told The Westmorland Gazette that he hoped to lodge an appeal.

"He maintains his innocence," said Park's Barrow-in-Furness solicitor Mike Graham, of Forresters. "When I saw him yesterday (at Strangeways Prison) he was in good health and a good frame of mind, positive about what needed to be done to appeal."

Park, of Norland Avenue, Barrow, was found guilty on Friday of battering his unfaithful wife to death in 1976 with an ice axe before dumping her trussed-up body in Coniston Water.

It is thought unlikely that the conviction can be quashed on procedural grounds following the thorough ten-week trial at Manchester Crown Court. But there could be scope for presenting new evidence and carrying out more research to challenge the expert evidence that helped convict Park.

Via Mr Graham, Park issued a public appeal for anyone with information about Carol Park's death to contact his solicitors on 01229-820297. He is particularly keen for details about a blue-grey Volkswagen Beetle a neighbour testified to seeing on the drive of the Park's Leece home on July 17, 1976 - the day Carol Park disappeared. Cumbria Police said they would also like to hear if there was fresh information on 01229-824532.

Meanwhile, after the trial officers in the case urged Park to finally confess for the sake of his victim's family and friends.

DCI Keith Churchman, who has led the inquiry, branded Park a "cold" and "arrogant" killer.

"He has lied to his family, he has lied to his friends, he has lied to the media and he has lied to his children."

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