Police hunting for missing teenager Mary Bastholm – long suspected of being a victim of serial killer Fred West – have not found any human remains while excavating a cafe in Gloucester.

Digging in six areas of interest in the cellar of the Clean Plate cafe on Southgate Street began on May 19, after a film crew discovered what was initially thought to be evidence of human remains.

Cadaver dogs took interest in the basement and six 'anomalies' were identified by a team of expert forensic archaeologists and anthropologists ahead of the excavation work.

In a statement, Gloucestershire Police said: “Each area was carefully examined by the forensics team with support from officers from the Constabulary.

“The team worked each day, everything that was dug up was analysed on site and all activity was meticulously logged and photographed.

“Mary’s family have been updated and is continuing to receive support from family liaison officers.

“The cafe will be handed back to its owners once reparation work is completed.”

Experts determined that the remaining areas of the cellar had been undisturbed since prior to 1968, when Mary Bastholm disappeared.

Mary, 15, who was last seen alive in January 1968, worked as a waitress at the Pop-In cafe, which was located on the same site as the Clean Plate.

Serial killer West, who died in prison in 1995 while awaiting trial accused of 12 murders of women and girls, knew Mary and was a known customer of the cafe.