A MURDERED private investigator's family are "cautiously optimistic" about his killers being caught after the unearthing of new evidence.

Detectives working on the fifth inquiry into the murder of Daniel Morgan have found the 1957 Austin Healey car he was restoring at the time of his death.

Several new witnesses have also been traced and are staying in safe houses under the witness protection programme.

Alastair Morgan, 56, who has led the campaign to find his brother's killer, believes Daniel was murdered because he intended to blow the whistle on alleged police corruption.

The 37-year-old was found with an axe embedded in his head in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham Road, Sydenham, on March 10, 1987.

Mr Morgan said: "We know who did it and it has just been a question of getting the witnesses to come forward but for obvious reasons they have been scared or have had reasons for not doing it.

"There will be no forensics from the car because it was not at the crime scene but it is part of the larger picture and presents a piece of the activities of the characters involved.

"Everything seems to have moved forward and I suppose we are cautiously optimistic.

"There has been a marked change in the attitudes of the police over the past two investigations and we have confidence in the investigating officer."

Daniel's blue and ivory coloured car went missing from the garage he was using to restore it shortly after his murder.

The person who sold it on to the current owner is not believed to have had anything to do with the murder.

But the police think he may be connected to those responsible who sought to benefit out of the car sale.

A £50,000 reward has been offered for information leading to a conviction.

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.