POLICE hunting a missing Purton woman have turned to Malmesbury for clues in their search.

Amanda Edwards, 21, was last seen in Calne on Thursday, April 8, when she dropped off her boyfriend at his home in Bremhill.

Her Rover Metro car was discovered in the car park of the West Swindon shopping centre later that day, sparking a massive police search.

On Monday detectives arrested a middle-aged Swindon man on suspicion of kidnapping Amanda, five days after she disappeared.

Police confirmed that the man was neither Amanda's boyfriend nor a relative of hers, and that she had known him for about a year.

Officers involved in the inquiry have been examining CCTV footage from the One Stop shop in Purton, which was visited by Amanda at around 11am on the day she disappeared.

Events took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when police forensic teams swooped on the former Knoll House Hotel in Malmesbury at around 11am.

The Swindon Road hotel, being converted into luxury homes and apartments by Bath developer Chase Homes, was besieged by the media for much of Tuesday, as police combed the site for clues to Amanda's whereabouts.

Chase Homes managing director Chris Kent said: "The police heading the inquiry asked for permission to come on the site with reference to the investigation.

"We have been fully co-operative with the police; their forensic team has been there asking various questions.

"It was a surprise to all the contractors working on the site."

The drama deepened when an unmarked people carrier containing a person wrapped in a white sheet sped on to the hotel grounds at 3.30pm.

A woman sat in the front seat of the car was filming the person in the back, before the vehicle sped off moments later towards Swindon.

Forensic teams left the site at around 4.30pm, with a lone patrol car keeping watch on the area overnight.

Later that evening, police were granted a 36 hour extension to further question the man, as fears for Amanda's safety grew.

A heartfelt appeal for Amanda's safe return was made in a statement from her parents Beverley and Hartley, released through their family liaison officer WPC Ellie Graham. It said: "Manda, please come home.

"We miss and love you so much. Please contact us or let someone know that you are safe and well.

"Can we also appeal to anyone who has any information to please contact the police immediately."

It is understood that Amanda worked at the Little Foxes nursery school in Brinkworth, although staff would not confirm that she was a staff member.