FAMILY and friends of James Hanratty say they will continue to campaign for his innocence this week, despite Scotland Yard having confirmed recent DNA tests as positive.

Results follow the exhumation of the body of James Hanratty executed at Bedford prison in 1962 for the infamous A6 murder of Abbots Langley resident Mr Michael Gregsten, and the rape and shooting of his mistress Miss Valerie Storie from Carpenders Park Cemetery in Oxhey Lane, Watford, on Thursday, March 22.

Forensic scientists were recently instructed to carry out DNA tests on the body buried in Watford more than 30 years ago, with a view to it providing essential evidence to support the crown's case to the court of appeal due to be held this Autumn.

It was announced this week DNA samples extracted from the accused's body matched strands found on items of Miss Storie's clothing, taken from the crime scene.

However, the legal battle is now set to continue as solicitors acting for Hanratty's family claim such tests to be irrelevant, posing the possibility of Hanratty's clothes having been mixed with the two samples a handkerchief and pair of knickers belonging to Miss Storie.

An acting lawyer for the family, said while they were aware the items in question had been kept in paper envelopes before being presented in court at the time of trial for examination by expert witnesses for both the prosecution and defence, the clothes may have been easily contaminated since.

Scotland Yard has refused to comment on any evidence due to be presented as part of the case before the appeal is heard later this year.