Ben Needham TV Appeal On Greek TV

The mother of missing Ben Needham is in Greece to make a direct TV appeal with UK police officers.

Ben, from Sheffield, vanished on July 24 1991 after travelling to the Greek island of Kos with his mother Kerry Needham and his grandparents.

Over the years there have been a number of possible sightings and a range of theories about what happened to the youngster, who would now be 25.

Mrs Needham and Ben's grandmother Christine Needham will be taking part in the TV show tonight along with his sister Leighanna.

Also taking part will be Detective Superintendent Matthew Fenwick and Detective Inspector Jon Cousins from South Yorkshire Police.

The show, the English translation of which is Light At The End Of The Tunnel, broadcasts to around 50% of the Greek TV audience and is about missing people, a spokesman said.

It will air between 9pm and 11pm UK time.

In January, South Yorkshire Police were granted Home Office funding to support the Greek authorities in continuing inquiries to find Ben.

The force asked for the financial help to follow up information the family believes has never been properly investigated.

The funding is for the financial year from April 2015 and is for up to £700,000.

The Home Office backed a South Yorkshire Police operation in 2012 when land was excavated on Kos, near the farmhouse from where Ben went missing. No trace of him was found.

Charity Crimestoppers are offering a £10,000 reward for information that leads to Ben.