Murdered girl's family deny any involvement in the death

Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed took the unusual step to counter allegations that their daughter, Shafilea, 17, was killed after refusing to take part in an arranged marriage.

Investigating officers had earlier confirmed that the teenager, from Warrington, Cheshire, was murdered and her body hidden in undergrowth near the River Kent, Sedgwick, Cumbria.

Her badly decomposed body was discovered by workmen three weeks ago but was only positively identified on Monday following forensic tests.

Yesterday, Mr and Mrs Ahmed, 44 and 41, issued a statement through their solicitor calling for Cheshire Police to look elsewhere for the killer.

Their solicitor, Milton Firman, from Altrincham, Cheshire, said: "Mr and Mrs Ahmed wish to confirm once more that they strenuously deny any direct or indirect involvement in their daughter’s untimely demise. If called upon to do so, they shall not hesitate to defend their good and unblemished names in any court."

Mr and Mrs Ahmed were arrested in December on suspicion of their daughter’s kidnap. They were released on bail.

Miss Ahmed disappeared from the family home six months ago, following a trip to Pakistan where she drank bleach after being introduced to a suitor for an arranged marriage.

Mr Firman said: "Iftikhar and Farzana have lost a beautiful and irreplaceable daughter.

"Nothing can change that reality; a reality made all the more painful in view of the unsubstantiated allegations against them."