NEW IMAGE IN HUNT FOR MISSING BEN

Kerry Grist, 34, from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, issued a message to Ben asking him to find her as the new image was released to coincide with his 18th birthday later this month.

The "age-progression" picture was created by the Metropolitan Police Facial Imaging Team, at the request of Ms Grist, using family photos to show how he would look today. It has been issued by the National Missing Person's Bureau in time for Ben's 18th birthday on October 29.

Ben was 21 months old when he was last seen on the island of Kos on July 24, 1991, close to an old farmhouse which was being renovated by his grandparents.

His mother has always believed he was snatched and is alive but, although the Greek police logged up to 200 possible sightings, he has never been found.

On Wednesday Ms Grist said she hoped the picture might prompt Ben to question who he was and try to get in touch with her.

Sending a message to her son, she said: "Find who you are. If you're out there - I know he's out there somewhere - if you've got any suspicion about your life, follow it up, go with your heart and find me because I've tried and I've tried and I've tried for 16 years to find you.

"My message is find me and I'll be here for you, I'll always be here for you."

Ms Grist said she wanted to raise publicity about what Ben might look like as he reached adulthood and came into contact with various authorities.

"I want to make all these people aware to look out for somebody who resembles this picture and if they think there's anything suspicious to get in touch," she said.