Shafilea Ahmed went missing last year

Detectives believe the body of Shafilea Ahmed had been deliberately hidden at the scene in Sedgwick since the day she went missing in September.

They revealed their findings at a news conference and said DNA tests had been used to confirm her identity.

But moments later, her parents through their solicitor, denied any involvement in their daughter's death.

Speaking on behalf of the family, solicitor Milton Firman 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."

We are investigating all avenues and keeping an open mind as to who has killed Shafilea Det Chief Insp Geraint Jones Watch the police news conference

Shafilea's parents, Ifitkar, 44, and Farzana, 41, were present as Mr Firman read out the statement.

Detective Chief Inspector Geraint Jones had earlier stressed that he was "keeping an open mind" about Shafilea's killer and "exploring all avenues".

The teenager disappeared after a holiday in Pakistan during which she met a potential marriage partner.

Her body was discovered three weeks ago on the banks of the River Kent.

Mr Jones said it appeared that the teenager's body had been deliberately hidden.

Shafilea's mother (left) and father (right) cried as their lawyer spoke

He said: "Following intense scene examination by forensics experts, it is evident that Shafilea's body had been concealed at the location for some time and perhaps from the night she went missing.

The area where Shafilea was found is popular with tourists and walkers.

And Mr Jones appealed for anyone who was in the vicinity on 11 September or shortly afterwards, who may have seen anything, to come forward.

He declined to comment on speculation that the teenager had been the victim of a so-called "honour killing".

'Tragic' death

He said: "This term honour killing is not a term I've used during this inquiry.

"We are treating this simply as a murder investigation of a tragic event involving a poor female who has been left in Cumbria having been murdered and that is where we are concentrating our resources.

He said: "Since Shafilea's disappearance we have always been suspicious of the circumstances and from an early stage we were investigating this as a possible murder."

Mr Jones added: "We are investigating all avenues and keeping an open mind as to who has killed Shafilea."

Shafilea's parents were arrested in December on suspicion of abducting their daughter but were released on bail pending further inquiries.