The policeman leading the investigation into the murder of fitness instructor Donavan Van Lill says finding the body had now become personal.

Four months after Mr Van Lill disappeared from his Chippenham home, police have a man awaiting trial for murder but appear no nearer to finding his body.

Detective superintendent Norman McKeaveney said on Tuesday: “This is a very personal challenge now as a senior investigating officer, and it is a major responsibility for me to make sure we find Donavan’s body.

“It is a demanding challenge, but I am very determined to find Donavan, and it has become a personal aim as well as a police priority.

“I believe Donavan’s body is local and we will continue searching until we find him.

“We do not need a body for the trial to go ahead. But I am convinced that the evidence we have, and anything we get before the trial will be sufficient.We are not worried about that.”

Martin Sugden, 41, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his former friend at Bristol Crown Court last month, and is due to reappear in October.

supt McKeaveney said: “Although no Wiltshire police officers have travelled to South Africa during the investigation we are considering whether we need to send people out there.

“We have initiated several inquiries there with South African police and the finance industry around Donavan’s business matters.”

Supt McKcKeaveney has appealed again for two joggers seen in the Stanton St Quintin area on the day he disappeared to come forward.

Officers are keen to hear from a middle-aged man wearing glasses and the two runners, described as in their 30s or 40s, between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall and of broad muscular build, who were seen on March 3.

“We know from our investigation that there were two people out jogging on that day, but despite our inquiries those people have not come forward and we are anxious to speak to them,” said Supt McKeaveney.

He is also urging anyone who can identify the driver of a small blue saloon, which was captured on CCTV entering the street on which Mr van Lill rented a house at 10.02am on March 3 and leaving at 10.09am.

“We believe it is the same vehicle that enters Blackthorn Mews from the direction of the Old Lane pub at 12.18pm that same day, and which does not appear to come back out again,” he said.

Police have completed their search in the immediate area of Martin Sugden’s home in Stanton St Quintin, as well as a stretch of the River Avon, but they will continue to respond to information from the public.

Supt McKeaveney said: “This remains a large major investigation and I would ask that no matter how small or relevant someone considers their information to be, that they do contact the police and we will judge its significance as it could just hold the key we are looking for.”