Police officers hoping to find the remains of a woman who was kidnapped in Hertfordshire more than 50 years ago have found nothing after five days of digging, it has been reported.

On Monday (July 15), the Metropolitan Police began a fresh search at Stocking Farm in Hertfordshire, where Muriel McKay was held hostage and murdered in 1969.

But, after five days of searching, they told the BBC that nothing has yet been found. Digging is expected to continue until Wednesday, July 24.

Officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command and forensic officers are working with forensic archaeologists and other specialists, as well as Hertfordshire police.

Mrs McKay, wife of Alick McKay, chief executive at News International  and close friend of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, was kidnapped from her Wimbledon home after being mistakenly identified as Murdoch’s wife.

A ransom of £1,000,000 was set by the kidnappers - brothers Arthur and Nizamodeen Hosein, who were later convicted of Muriel's kidnapping and murder in September 1970.

Arthur died in prison in 2009, and Nizamodeen was deported to Trinidad and Tobago after serving his sentence.

Despite extensive search efforts, Muriel's body has never been found. The farm where officers are currently digging has been searched on multiple previous occasions.

Earlier this week, Muriel McKay’s grandson, Mark Dyer, told BBC Breakfast: “It’s difficult not to get anxious and emotional but I’ve got to keep on the straight and narrow.

“Really, if we don’t find her it will be a disappointment but it won’t be unexpected.

“But without searching for something you’re never going to find it.

“We haven’t dug behind the barn, no-one’s ever dug behind the barn.”