LANGBANK is at the centre of a major new probe into one of the country's biggest unsolved murder cases.

Reports that convicted sex killer Angus Sinclair is in the frame for killing Hilda McAuley brought back memories of the gruesome discovery in the village.

Two Port Glasgow schoolboys found the body of the mother of two on 2 October 1977 in long grass on a verge close to the M8.

A dossier has been compiled by a team of detectives pointing the finger at the Barlinnie prisoner for five deaths, including the infamous World's End murders.

A Langbank man, who recalled the murder, said: `It was the talking point of the village for a few days, but there was no connection to Langbank as such.

`It was a shock that something like that happened. In the past there has been a number of bodies dumped there because people can get away without being seen.` In the years that followed, Hilda's killer remained at large, and speculation grew there was a connection to the Bible John murders.

The 36-year-old from Maryhill went missing after leaving Glasgow's Plaza ballroom.

Her body was found at West Ferry, Langbank, and it was reported at the time police believed she'd been strangled.

The man leading the murder hunt, Chief Superintendent Douglas Meldrum, said at the time: `This is a particularly brutal murder.` Nearly two weeks later, 17-year-old friends Helen Scott and Christine Eadie were found strangled. They were last seen leaving the World's End pub in Edinburgh.

The first murder took place in August when Anna Kenny vanished from Glasgow and later in December nurse Agnes Cooney was stabbed to death.

Last year a special team from three police forces set up an inquiry following DNA tests.

A spokesman for the team said: `We can confirm a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal in connection with the joint police inquiry in relation to Operation Trinity.` He said it would be inappropriate to comment further.

• Do you know the Port Glasgow schoolboys who found Hilda's body? If so phone 558833.