There were fresh hopes last night that the killer of a German backpacker will be brought to justice after police revealed new details about their investigation.

The body of Inga Maria Hauser (18), who died as a result of a broken neck during a brutal attack, was discovered in a forest outside Ballycastle 20 years ago on Sunday.

And as police yesterday revealed they have established that the killer was likely to have had detailed knowledge of the remote area where Inga's body was found, speculation was last night increasing that the person responsible may still live in the vicinity.

It is understood police know who was behind the crime but have so far failed to gather enough evidence to bring him to justice.

SDLP MLA John Dallat last night said it is time for anyone who is protecting the identity of the murderer to break their silence and bring an end to the two decades of misery experienced by the family of the German teenager.

"It is frustrating that after 20 years the pieces of the jigsaw are missing," he said.

"The area where Inga was found is so remote that whoever killed her must have had a detailed knowledge of the forest and I believe that people do know who is responsible and (are) shielding this killer. They are not helping themselves by their actions, they are not helping the man who did this and they are not helping the Hauser family."

Despite the investigation being hindered by false leads, Mr Dallat said he remains optimistic that there will be a breakthrough.

He said: "I am taking the police at their word and believe that they will arrest the correct person."