The Criminal Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided not to charge four men being investigated over the suspected murder of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence, ITV News understands.

Four men, all in their 50s and from the York area, were arrested in early 2015, one on March 23 and the other three on April 22. The men were released from police bail while the investigation took place.

The CPS had been reviewing files of evidence submitted to them by North Yorkshire Police but now it is understood they have decided not to press charges against any of the men.

Ms Lawrence, who was a chef at York University, was reported missing six years ago, sparking a huge police search for the 35-year-old.

She was last seen on March 18, 2009, after working at the university. She spoke to her parents by phone on the same day and also texted a friend that evening. When she failed to turn up for work the following day, colleagues raised the alarm.

North Yorkshire Police later said they were treating the case as suspected murder although her body has not been found.

New forensic tests were carried out at Claudia's home in 2015, where police revealed they had found fingerprints, and became aware that others had spent time at the address in the lead up to her disappearance.