AN ELDERLY man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 36-year-old female shopkeeper - 38 years ago.

Carol Morgan was found lying dead in the storeroom of her shop in Leighton Buzzard, after being savagely attacked with a meat cleaver on August 13 1981.

Today, a man aged 69 and woman aged 70 from Brighton have been arrested on suspicion of her murder are are currently in police custody for questioning.

>> Police raid house after arrest over murder

Brian Prickett, the former detective superintendent who led the investigation into her murder, said in an interview in 2006 that the chances of finding the killer could rest on two tiny fingerprints that have never been identified.

He said: "The investigation we carried out at the time was very thorough.

"I wouldn't change anything we did and the only thing that is outstanding is those fingerprints left at the scene.

"We have never been able to trace who they belonged to, even though they are still regularly checked on the national database.

"But with improvements in technology, I still hope I will get a call, saying 'we've got him'."

Detective Inspector Jerry Waite from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: "A number of arrests were made at the time of Carol's death, however no charges were ever brought.

"Our Cold Case Unit reviews every undetected murder every two years, and Carol's case is no exception.

"This goes to show that no murder investigation is ever closed and we will explore all opportunities available, even as much as 38 years later.

"We will also be carrying out additional work in the vicinity of Morgan's Store and in the Brighton area, and would appreciate the public's support in coming forward with any information which could help our investigation.

"I hope that with the passage of time, anyone who now feels able to come forward with any information has the confidence to do so. Any details, no matter how small, could be vital."

Anyone with information about the death of Carol Morgan is asked to contact the dedicated Operation Markdown incident room number on 01480 422796.

Information can also be provided on the Operation Markdown page on the Major Incident Public Portal site.