Missing Ben Needham: Mum appears in Greek TV appeal

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-32719023

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The mother of missing Ben Needham has made a new appeal on Greek television over the disappearance of her son 24 years ago.

Ben, from Sheffield, vanished when he was 21 months old during a family holiday on the island of Kos.

Kerry Needham travelled to Athens with South Yorkshire Police to appear on a missing persons programme.

After the programme, the force tweeted: "A number of calls have been received and will be looked at in detail".

Mrs Needham was also due meet the British ambassador to Greece, John Kittmer, to discuss her son's case.

Earlier this year, South Yorkshire Police was granted Home Office funding to support the Greek authorities in continuing inquiries to find Ben.

The television programme, the English translation of which is Light at the End of the Tunnel, broadcasts to about 50% of the Greek TV audience.

Ben's grandmother Christine and his sister Leighanna also participated in the programme, which was shown on Friday.

In a statement tweeted from @FindBenNeedham, the account of the family's campaign, Kerry Needham said: "During our five days here we will be meeting the British ambassador for the first time in 23 years to discuss Ben's case.

"We sincerely hope this will lead to more people coming forward with new information and will help the British and Greek police investigate the whereabouts of Ben."

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We have the deepest sympathies with Ben Needham's family and continue to offer them consular support. We are following this case closely and will fully assist South Yorkshire Police wherever possible."

Ben vanished on 24 July, 1991, after travelling to Kos with his mother and grandparents, who were renovating a farmhouse in the village of Iraklise.

In 2013, a DNA test carried out on a man in Cyprus proved he was not Ben.

Mrs Needham has always maintained her son is alive and was probably abducted.