Detectives are renewing their appeal for help from the public on the second anniversary of the brutal killing of a mother-of-two.

Valerie Graves had lived in Scotland for nearly ten years before moving back to England to look after her elderly mother shortly before she died.

The 55-year-old's body was found in the bedroom of a house in Smugglers Lane, Bosham, West Sussex, where she had been house-sitting while the owners were away over the Christmas period.

It is believed the artist had been beaten to death with a claw hammer.

The death was nicknamed the "Midsomer Murder" as the seaside village featured in an episode of the ITV drama.

A £10,000 reward is still being offered for information leading to the conviction of the murderer of Ms Graves, who was a grandmother.

Sussex police launched the biggest voluntary mass DNA screening in its history in January and February this year - asking all men aged over 17 who live, work or visit Bosham to provide a DNA sample and a thumbprint to eliminate them from the inquiry.

This was after forensic scientists obtained a limited DNA profile for the murder suspect, which although not suitable for a search on the National DNA Database, indicated the suspect was male.

Detectives from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team have so far taken DNA samples from half of the 5,000 men in Bosham.

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Taylor called on any male who had not yet given a sample to come forward in order to be eliminated from the inquiry.

He said: "This investigation remains a priority for the force and we are determined to find Valerie's killer and get justice for her and her family.

"This time of year is particularly difficult for her family and friends. We are asking for people's understanding as we continue to knock on doors in Bosham and ask for DNA samples.

"I would ask any men aged over 17 who live, work or visit Bosham who haven't provided a DNA sample to contact police so we can arrange for this to be taken and for them to be eliminated.

"We are still offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Valerie's killer and I would ask anyone who has information to contact police."

Ms Graves was murdered as she house-sat with her sister Jan, mother Eileen, and her sister's partner, Nigel Acres.

She had recently moved back to Sussex from Scotland to help care for her elderly mother in Bracklesham Bay.

Last year, Ms Graves' two grown-up children, Tim Wood and Jemima Harrison, described how Christmas was "on hold" while their mother's murderer remained at large.

Mr Wood said: "It's hard to carry on knowing that someone is out there able to do it to someone else and knowing that they haven't been caught for what they have done."

Ms Graves, who had two grown-up children and two grandchildren, had graduated in textile design from Heriot-Watt University. She had lived in Scotland for around a decade.

Anyone with information about the murder of Valerie Graves is asked to call 101 and quote Operation Ensign. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).