Police have launched a fresh appeal for information 21 years after a mother was set alight and killed in a churchyard.

Tracey Mertens, 31, from Rochdale , was doused in petrol and set alight in Eaton churchyard, near Congleton, on December 23 1994.

The mother-of-two sustained 95 per cent burns to her body and died in hospital 12 hours later.

This week, on the 21st anniversary of her death, Cheshire police are urging anyone who may have information in relation to the horrific murder to come forward.

The day before her death Tracey travelled to Birmingham to collect a benefits book from her former home in Cattells Grove, Nechells.

It is believed she initially intended to return the same day, but instead ended up staying overnight at her sister-in-laws and visited her former home the next morning.

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Shortly before midday on December 23 she answered a knock at the door of the house in Cattells Grove and was confronted by two black men.

Police believe she was abducted and bundled into the back of a yellow Ford Escort parked outside the address.

Tracey was then driven to Eaton churchyard, in Cheshire, where she was set alight and left to die.

A member of the public came to her aid and she was taken to hospital, where she was able to tell detectives what happened to her.

She clung to life for a further 12 hours before she died.

An investigation was launched, but despite enquiries over the years nobody has been convicted in connection with her death .

Det Insp Gary McIntyre said: “Tracey’s family are preparing to spend another Christmas without her – an experience that remains a difficult one for them all.

“This year marks the 21st anniversary of Tracey’s death and, although a lot of time has passed since that day, I do firmly believe that there are still other people out there who may have witnessed what happened and would appeal to them to come forward.”

He added: “Someone out there must know who is responsible for Tracey’s murder and I would personally appeal to them to come forward and speak to us – even the smallest amount of information can be crucial when piecing together a case. In particular I would appeal to anyone in Birmingham, where Tracey was taken from, or Cheshire, where she was killed, to come forward.”

A £30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Tracey’s death is being offered.

Anyone with information can contact the investigation team on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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