Mansfield solicitor says he has a confession from Milly Dowler killer admitting to mum and daughter hammer murder 26 years ago

Bellfield, who is serving life for killing schoolgirl Millie Dowler and two others, has revealed chilling details of the how he killed Lin and Megan Russell it is thought only the killer would know.

Drug addict Michael Stone was twice convicted of murdering the Russells and is serving life, but has always denied the killings in the Kent countryside in 1996.

His solicitor, Mansfield-based Paul Bacon, has spent 15 years trying to prove Stone's innocence and has a copy of Bellfield's alleged confession.

Mr Bacon said: "It is a full and frank confession. I believe what he is saying and I think if the police were to interview him he would finally admit the murders."

In the statement Bellfield, a former nightclub bouncer, says: "I was wearing bright yellow marigold washing-up gloves and holding a hammer in my right hand.

"In my car I had a screwdriver, a lock knife, a hammer, yellow marigold gloves and a very long black bootlace.

"My first intention was to just attack Lin, but I quickly changed my mind due to the screams and was worried she would fight back given the children were with her.

"I approached Lin and held her right arm tight. She asked me not to harm her children. She was calm. Had she screamed I would have attacked her and left not harming the children.

"The situation just got out of control and the more she complied it just gave me more confidence. I walked all three of them off the track. I forced Lin to sit down."

Lin Russell, Megan, six, and Josie, nine, were attacked in July 1996 as they walked down a country lane in Chillenden in Kent after having been at a swimming gala.

They were tied up, blindfolded and bludgeoned with a hammer - Lin Russell was hit at least 15 times in the head - but Josie miraculously survived. The family's dog was also killed.

Twelve years ago Stone, 61, had an appeal turned down by the Criminal Case Review Commission (CCRC), but it is already considering a second application over his conviction.

Mr Bacon said he would be forwarding the Bellfield statement to the police.

He said: "If Bellfield is charged I will apply for Michael's bail. Until today he knew nothing about this."

However, one of Bellfield's ex-partners - who gave evidence against him in court - has previously insisted she was with him on the day of the Russell murders and the pair were "nowhere near Kent".

Bellfield, 53, will never be released as he is serving a whole-life sentence for murdering Milly Dowler, French student Amelie Delagrange and 19-year-old Marsha McDonnell in southwest London from 2002 to 2004.

He was also convicted of the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy, while the detective in charge of the Delagrange investigation told Sky News last year that he believes Bellfield is behind "dozens" of other crimes.