Police have ended the search for human remains in a garden at the former home of a paedophile and said that they are satisfied there are no bodies there.

It had been alleged in a letter received by the former residents of the New Addington home that the bodies of children were buried in the back garden more than 35 years ago.

However, following a comprehensive search at 107 Walton Green, which lasted almost two weeks, police announced last Friday that the investigation was complete.

The property was the former home of convicted sex abuser Leslie Ford-Thrussell, although he was not thought to be living at the property 35 years ago.

After calling off the search a police spokesman said: "We have carried out a comprehensive search and we are satisfied there are no human remains there.

"This stage of the investigation is finished. We are now reviewing the situation as a result of information gathered during the investigation."

Last week police pulled the house apart, filling skips with furniture, bath tubs and carpets while the garden was covered by wire mesh fencing as it was ripped up.

It is believed that the letter was sent by a former resident of the house and police confirmed that the author was now being looked after by family liaison officers.

Leslie Ford-Thrussell, 72, was jailed for 12 years in June 2004 for a string of sex offences on nine girls, some as young as six-years-old.

The former landscape gardener was convicted of seven counts of rape and 23 counts of indecent assault over a period of 17 years.

It is thought that he had been living there prior to his conviction after moving into the house when he married long-term resident, Shirley Dedman, whose husband, Stephen, died of cancer in 1985.

During the trial at Croydon Crown Court in July 2004 it was heard that he targeted some of his victims as they went to school, offering them sweets. He also videotaped some of the abuse.

During the search Detective Chief Inspector Mark Stockford told the media that officers had received the letter 12 months ago.

He added that inquiries over the last year and information given to them by the letter's author gave "additional weight" to the inquiry.

However, the search proved fruitless and police were unable to confirm whether any additional charges would be brought forward as a result of the search.