Vicar backs police investigation into possible Jimmy Savile links to Hebden Bridge and schoolgirl murder of Lindsay Rimer

Floral tributes on the canal bank where Lindsay Rimer's body was found

The body of the Hebden Bridge girl was pulled from the nearby Rochdale Canal on April 12, 1995.

Now, as the 19th anniversary of her disappearance approaches, the Rev Graham Kent, who was a Methodist minister in the town at that time, has asked that the late disgraced TV star Jimmy Savile’s links to the area be investigated.

The BBC presenter was a regular visitor and was later exposed as a prolific paedophile.

Sir Jimmy Savile during a visit to St John's church, Cragg Vale

He used to stay in a caravan at nearby Cragg Vale but was never interviewed by police.

Rev Kent said: “It should be investigated. If he was involved, it would put her family’s minds at rest.”

Police have said they do not know Savile’s movements in November 1994 when he would have been 68.

He made no public appearances that month and was not making programmes for the BBC.

Lindsay’s family lived at Lower Rough Head Farm, near Savile’s holiday spot before moving into Cambridge Street, Hebden Bridge, before her disappearance.

Lindsay’s divorced parents Geri and Gordon Rimer have yet to comment and police said they have no information linking Savile to the murder.