Remains have been found in the search for a Rania Alayed who was killed 12 years ago, and police say they "strongly believe" the remains are hers.

       Her husband Ahmed Al-Khatib was found guilty of her murder in 2014 and sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years in prison.

       The mother-of-three was murdered in a planned "honour killing", but sadly her body was never discovered despite multiple searches.

       However, yesterday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers found buried human remains near the A19 in Thirsk, which the force "strong suspect" belong to Rania.

       Rania’s son, Yazan, speaking on behalf of their family, said: "The discovery of my mother’s remains more than a decade onwards has come as a surreal surprise to me and my family.

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       "At last, being able to provide a final resting place is all we have wanted for the last 11 years, to have the ability to lay down a few flowers for my mother is more than I can ask for from this world."

       No formal identification has taken place as yet, but a scene will remain in place over the next few days while specialist officers carry out more work.

       Detective Chief Inspector Neil Higginson from GMP's Major Incident Team said the force kept Rania's family informed on the searches over the years and now hopes to reuinte her with her family.

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       He said: "More than a decade after her murder, we now strongly believe we have located Rania’s body and are finally able to provide closure to her family, who we know have endured so much pain and grief over the years.

       "Rania’s family have always been kept informed following our searches over the last few years, and we are providing them updates as we get them following this most recent development.

       "Her murder was utterly horrific and not knowing where her body is has inflicted further pain to all those who knew her. I hope that we are now able to finally reunite her with her family, where she belongs, so that they can give her a proper resting place."