A reconstruction of the events leading up to the suspected murder of Herefordshire skydiver, Stephen Hilder, is to be staged on national television.

The 20-year-old Army cadet, of Stretton Sugwas, was taking part in a competition at Hibaldstow Airifeld, north Lincolnshire, earlier this month, when he fell 13,000ft to his death.

Police launched a murder inquiry after revealing that the cord on his main parachute and the strapping on his reserve chute had been deliberately sabotaged.

Det Supt Colin Andrews, of Humberside Police, who is leading the investigation, said he was very keen to get the inquiry on to the BBC's Crimewatch programme.

"It does have very good results and may just provide us with the break we need to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding Stephen's death.

"I believe that there is someone out there, more than likely a member of the skydiving community, who knows exactly what happened to Stephen's parachute pack and why, and I am confident we will get that information.

"It is a wicked crime and somebody out there holds the key to this investigation," he said.

Police believe the murderer may even have been in the crowd watching as the disaster unfolded.

They have spoken to people who knew Stephen at university and in the skydiving community, as well as to revellers who attended a party with Stephen on Thursday, July 3, the day before his death.

But they hope that the appeal on Crimewatch, to be broadcast on BBC1 at 9pm on Thursday, July 24, will provide new leads.