The family of missing Bradford on Avon woman Melanie Hall have been told that bones found on an M5 slipway belong to her.

Miss Hall, 25, of Leigh Grove, Bradford Leigh, went missing after leaving Cadillacs nightclub in Bath, in June 1996.

Her parents Steve and Pat were unable to comment about the news tonight.

It is believed as well as the bones found on the side of the M5 slipway at junction 14, the Thornbury turn-off, an item of significance, possibly a piece of jewellery, was also found.

A post-mortem examination on the bones, which included a skull, pelvis and thigh bone belonging to a woman, was held at the mortuary in Flax Bourton near Bristol.

The grim find was made on Monday by a motorway workman clearing undergrowth.

It is believed some of the bones were in a bin bag and others were scattered around the area. Some were partially buried and could have been dug up by animals.

Miss Hall was last seen in the Walcot Street nightclub Cadillacs, now called Club XL, at around 1am on June 9, in 1996.

She had been out with Dr Philip Kurlbaum, her German boyfriend, and was last seen by friends sitting at a table on the edge of the dance floor.

Miss Hall worked as a clerical officer in the orthopaedic department at the Royal United Hospital.

Two men from the Bath area, both in their 30s, were arrested over Ms Hall's death in early 2003 but were later released due to a lack of evidence.

An inquest held into her death in 2004 recorded an open verdict, but the coroner suggested it was likely Miss Hall was unlawfully killed.

The case featured on BBC show Crimewatch in 1996.

In 2006, on the tenth anniversary of her disappearance, her parents said they felt time was running out.

The hard shoulder and lane one of the M5 slip road remain sealed off tonight to allow the police investigation to continue.