THIS is the face of the man who police believe murdered a woman and raped two others in Walthamstow.

The partially-clothed body of Michelle Samaraweera, a Sri Lankan national, was found in a children's playground in Kelmscott Leisure Centre, Markhouse Road, on May 30.

The 35-year-old widow had been raped and strangled.

DNA evidence revealed the killer raped two other women in the area this year.

The Met has today released an e-fit of the suspect, who is described as being of Asian appearance with dark skin and aged 30 to 45.

Tonight, officers will make an appeal for witnesses on the BBC programme Crimewatch.

Detective Inspector Vic Rae, the investigating officer, said: "The e-fit and tonight's appeal on Crimewatch is designed to urge anyone with any concerns or suspicions to come forward.

"Someone has a brother or a son who may have acted suspiciously or been in the Queens Road area at the times of these attacks.

"It is vital they think of the community and come forward. This man must not be allowed to strike again."

Detectives have conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries and taken DNA samples from men in the area.

Det Supt Rae, said: "The DNA test is designed solely to apprehend the individual responsible for Michelle's brutal murder and the two linked sexual assaults.

"Much consideration and planning has gone into this decision and we feel this is the quickest and most comprehensively way to eliminate men from the investigation.

"So far we have received nothing but community support for the testing and the investigation as a whole."

The killer raped a 59-year-old woman in her own bedroom near Queens Road on March 24.

He also raped a 46-year-old woman in the South Grove area of Walthamstow on April 22.

Mrs Samaraweera was last seen on CCTV leaving the Somerfield in Markhouse Road at about 1am on May 30.

Police arrested four men in connection with the murder, but they have all been eliminated from the enquiry.

Anybody with information should call the incident room on 8345 3715 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.