DETECTIVES investigating the murder of Essex University student Hannah Witheridge have quizzed a group of footballers.

The 23-year-old’s body was found on a beach on the tiny island of Koh Tao on September 15, along with the body of David Miller, 24, from Jersey.

A group of Thai footballers are the latest people to be questioned by police amid fears that the hunt for the killers has stalled.

A spokesman for the Royal Thai Police confirmed that DNA samples were taken from "more than eight" footballers - who reportedly threw a late-night party at the nightclub where the victims spent their final hours - and officers were awaiting the results.

Police in Thailand are also offering a reward of more than £13,000 in their bid to catch the killers.

Post-mortem examinations revealed that Ms Witheridge died from head wounds, while Mr Miller was killed by severe blows to the head and drowning.

A group of Burmese migrants who were interviewed by police after bloodstains were found on their clothes have been eliminated from inquiries.

No matches were found between them and DNA found on Ms Witheridge and a cigarette butt at the scene.

Police had previously said they were looking for three Westerners who were seen playing a guitar near Sairee beach.