The parents of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, who vanished 16 years ago, say they are disappointed and angry that the man suspected of killing their daughter will not be charged.

Police re-investigating the case told a news conference in London today that convicted murderer John Cannan remained the prime murder suspect.

Cannan, 47, who denied any involvement in Miss Lamplugh's disappearance, was jailed for life in 1989 for the rape and murder of newly-wed Shirley Banks in Bristol.

Last year detectives questioned Cannan about Miss Lamplugh and a new file was later submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

However, the Crown Prosecution Service has told Scotland Yard detectives there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr Cannan.

Estate agent, Suzy Lamplugh, disappeared while meeting an unknown client in 1986. While her body has never been found it is believed that she was murdered.

Suzy's Parents, Paul and Diana Lamplugh said today they are angry about missed opportunities in the first investigation, which might have enable their daughter's killer to be caught.

"We are greatly distressed - and indeed considerably angered - that, after all these years, it is still not possible to prosecute the person who both we and the police believe murdered Suzy.

"Until the new investigating team was appointed, we were frustrated that the investigation was static and we have indeed been most disturbed to know how many opportunities have been missed in the past.

"Suzy was a lovely girl and we and her brother and sisters, and her many friends, still miss her enormously. It is greatly distressing that Suzy's body has not been found, nor do we know how she was killed. The least the offender can do now is to tell us where the body is.

"Suzy's spirit lives on as does her legacy, The Suzy Lamplugh Trust..."

Suzy's mother, Diana Lamplugh set up The Suzy Lamplugh Trust in the same year that Suzy disappeared, and now devotes her time to working on crime prevention.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bill Griffiths today talked about his regret over missed chances and the failure to get a conviction.

"It is a matter of great regret for all of us at the Metropolitan Police that significant opportunities were missed during the original enquiry. If these opportunities had been grasped at the time, it may have led us to a prosecution many years ago, but that did not happen.

"John Cannan has been interviewed twice by police in connection with Suzy's murder since his arrest. He has not been eliminated from our enquiries as a suspect. As this investigation has progressed - more and more questions about his involvement remain unanswered.

Police said there were still people they knew who held information about Suzy's disappearance, but who had not come forward.

"No matter what reason - maybe they think what they saw was unconnected or maybe they were trying to protect someone they cared about. It is never too late to speak to us."

"Whilst the CPS advice is that there is not enough evidence to prosecute at this time, this investigation is not over."

Anyone with information which might lead to a prosecution of the person who killed Suzy Lamplugh should contact the police incident room on 020 7321 9251.