THE near 30-year hunt to catch Elaine Doyle's killer will be brought to TV screens later this month.

Elaine Doyle was only 16 when she was brutally strangled in Greenock's west end only yards from her home in 1986.

Her family had to wait 28 years before the man who killed her was finally brought to justice and sent behind bars.

The remarkable story is told in the latest episode of documentary series Murdertown.

The programme includes contributions from family members, police officers and friends whose lives were changed forever by their terrible loss.

Former Greenock Telegraph journalist Alison Hunter, who was the first reporter on the scene and the first member of the press to speak to Elaine's parents, was interviewed.

Current Tele reporter David Goodwin, who interviewed Elaine's brother after the court case that convicted killer John Docherty, is also interviewed.

Detective Mairi Milne, who worked closely on the case for many years, is also featured in the programme.

The tragic story recalls Elaine's final steps after leaving a night out with her friends at the Celtic Supporters' Club in the town.

Elaine never arrived home and her body was found in a lane off Ardgowan Street.

A police manhunt to find the killer became one of the biggest in Scotland with hundreds of people being interviewed.

As weeks, months and years went by, the investigation appeared to stall.

The case was re-opened and in 2012 a sample of DNA from Elaine's chest and face matched that of John Docherty.

He protested his innocence but crucial forensic evidence showed that the chances of DNA found on Elaine's body not being his were a billion to one.

In 2014 former soldier was found guilty by majority verdict at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The Murdertown episode on the case is narrated by award-winning actress Katherine Kelly and it will air on Monday October 28 at 9pm on the Crime and Investigation UK channel.