Police have ruled out a link between a severed foot found on a path in Lincolnshire and missing teenager Leah Croucher.

It was reported that police were investigating if the foot was that of missing Milton Keynes teenager Leah, 19, who vanished on her way to work in February.

But today, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Howard of Thames Valley Police said: 'Thames Valley Police can confirm that following forensic examination of a dismembered foot discovered in New Waltham, Humberside it is not that of the missing teenager Leah Croucher and that no links have been identified between the Humberside Police investigation and Leah's disappearance.'

Investigators looking for missing teenager Leah Croucher, 19, have confirmed they are considering whether a woman's severed foot discovered on a footpath - which matches her height and age - could belong to her

Leah Croucher, 19, was last seen in Furzton, Milton Keynes just after 8.15am on February 15. Her family last saw her at around 10pm the evening before

It was reported that the investigation was linking the foot, found on a footpath near New Waltham Academy on April 25.

Leah vanished while walking to work on Buzzacott Lane, Furzton, Milton Keynes, just after 8am on February 15.

Thames Valley Police said three people had reported possible sightings of her near Furzton Lake later in the morning on that day, triggering a major search of the area.

Leah is 5ft 2in, the same height as the profile issued by Humberside Police of the potential victim of the body part in New Waltham.

Detectives said they believed the foot likely belonged to a woman over the age of 16, who was around 160cm tall - approximately 5 foot 2 inches and said the foot was 'removed' within the last year.

An appeal from Thames Valley Police, asking for information in relation to Leah's dissapearance

Police marine units search for missing teenager Miss Croucher in Milton Keynes

The mystery over the foot continues to pose major questions for officers investigating the case.

It is thought the body part may have been carried to the footpath by an animal, triggering a major search of surrounding fields off Peaks Parkway.

But after several days the search was scaled back and stopped with police then turning to missing persons databases around the country to try to discover a forensic match.

Miss Croucher has not spoken to any family or friends, used her bank cards and or been on social media since going missing

Most of those on the database have DNA profiles through previous police involvement or from family members as part of routine tests carried out during missing person's investigations.

The testing would normally allow profiles to match up quickly to allow police to identify potential victims.

Leah's distraught family issued emotional appeals for help to trace the teenager after she went missing and a £5,000 reward was offered for information.

But police have not found any trace of her since she disappeared.

The officer in charge of the search, Chief Inspector Neil Kentish, said: 'Our officers who are investigating Leah's disappearance have never dealt with a case like this before.

'It is extremely rare for someone to go missing without leaving a trace, but this is what has happened to Leah.'

Anyone with any information on missing Leah should contact police on 101 quoting Thames Valley Police reference 4319 004 9929. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their online anonymous form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, calls cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.