HOPES are being pinned on new forensic techniques for fresh clues in the unsolved murder of an Oxfordshire couple.

Dyfed-Powys Police in west Wales were today giving details into the reinvestigation of the shootings of Peter and Gwenda Dixon, from Witney, 18 years ago.

They were murdered at point blank range on a coastal path near the tourist spot of Little Haven, Pembrokeshire, in 1989.

Previous investigations focused on robbery of their bank card, but then moved on to speculation about the couple stumbling on a stash of drugs, and even an IRA arms cache.

The couple, who lived at Moorland Road, Witney, had been staying at a nearby campsite.

Detective Chief Supt Steve Wilkins said the case had been periodically reviewed but there had been considerable success in reviewing old homicides through forensic techniques.