A CLOSE friend of prostitute Paula Clennell last night refused to accept she may be dead.The 51-year-old man, who lives with the missing 24-year-old in Elliott Street, Ipswich, is clinging to the belief that she is far too “streetwise” to have been lured to her death.

A CLOSE friend of prostitute Paula Clennell last night refused to accept she may be dead.

The 51-year-old man, who lives with the missing 24-year-old in Elliott Street, Ipswich, is clinging to the belief that she is far too “streetwise” to have been lured to her death.

Speaking after the bodies of two women were found in Levington yesterday, he said: “She is so resourceful and I think it would be hard for someone to crack her but I have to say, it's not looking good.

“She's very streetwise, sharp as a razor and quick as a whippet. I can't imagine anyone would get the better of her - and I just hope I'm right.”

Miss Clennell, who also spent time at various other addresses in the town, was known to work as a prostitute, primarily in the Handford Road area.

She was known to have many friends and associates - but also many other people who had turned against her.

The friend, who gave the EADT what are believed to be last photographs taken of Miss Clennell before her disappearance, said: “She could be likeable but her biggest let down was the drugs - it made her unpredictable.

“She has loads of friends and lots of acquaintances but she had loads of enemies as well. I don't know who would do anything like this though.”

Another of Miss Clennell's friends, aged 35, last night admitted yesterday evening's developments were “very worrying”.

The man, who lived opposite Miss Clennell, said: “It didn't seem right for her to suddenly go missing like that. It didn't seem in her character.

“I'm just hoping that she is round someone's house and is not aware of what's going on. She could be doing drugs and it's just a case that she hasn't seen the news.”