The town feels a responsibility. A lot of people could have come forward, but didn't

Don Hale

"It has been a tremendous relief for him and his family. But after the hype following the end of the appeal it has been a bit of an anti-climax for Stephen," Mr Hale told BBC News Online.

"That is the part he has found difficult to deal with."

Mr Hale is in regular contact with the Downings and developed a rapport with the family during the campaign.

Mr Downing is also waiting to hear how much compensation, expected to be in the region of �1.5m, he is likely to be offered.

"He is expected to get an interim offer in the next few weeks, then he will get a final pay-out. It will be enough to live comfortably and not work again - but perhaps he needs some sort of work," said Mr Hale.

'White lies'

Mr Downing now lives in Chesterfield with his girlfriend and is working as a cook.

Mr Hale said: "He is learning quickly how to handle himself, but still has a teenager's excitement about things.

Ray and Juanita Downing fought for their son

"When he first came out he bought himself a camera which obviously bowled him over. He showed people it, like it was some wonderful new development."

Mr Downing's father, Ray, said: "We will help the investigation in any way we can. We hope people who told little white lies maybe will now tell the truth."

Mr Hale has handed his research to the police - it forms the basis of his book Town Without Pity: The fight to clear Stephen Downing of the Bakewell Murder, which is published on Thursday.

He presents a compelling case that a man the police interviewed over the murder in 1973, but who was dismissed as a suspect, committed the crime.

Witnesses died

The same man was questioned in connection with two earlier murders of women in the Matlock area, the book reveals.

Mr Hale said: "It will be difficult. The evidence may not be strong enough to take someone to court. Even while I've been on the case nine potential witnesses have died."

The book claims that from the outset many people living in the close-knit community of Bakewell knew the wrong man had been convicted of her murder.

Mr Hale said: "The town feels a responsibility. A lot of people could have come forward, but didn't.

"I think if they are honest they could have done better for the boy.

"But they have got their own reasons. I think there was a collective guilt and a collective outpouring of emotion when he was released."

The police investigation is expected to run into the autumn and Mr Hale is co-writing a BBC drama based on the murder and fight to clear Mr Downing's name.

The case could even gain international publicity if a Hollywood film company, currently in talks with Mr Hale, goes ahead with a movie.