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Ben Needham disappearance: Police to dig up land on Kos Ben Needham disappearance: Police to search land on Kos
(about 1 hour later)
British police are to help dig up land on a Greek island close to where Sheffield toddler Ben Needham disappeared 21 years ago. British police are to help search land on a Greek island close to where Sheffield toddler Ben Needham disappeared 21 years ago.
Ben vanished on the island of Kos in July 1991, when he was 21 months old.Ben vanished on the island of Kos in July 1991, when he was 21 months old.
In May, his mother Kerry dismissed a report he could have died in a building site accident near the family's house.In May, his mother Kerry dismissed a report he could have died in a building site accident near the family's house.
Experts from police forces from across the UK have flown out to assist Greek authorities in their search of the area on Friday.Experts from police forces from across the UK have flown out to assist Greek authorities in their search of the area on Friday.
Rubble mound
It is understood that Mrs Needham will arrive on Kos, supported by a police family liaison officer, during the search.It is understood that Mrs Needham will arrive on Kos, supported by a police family liaison officer, during the search.
A dog trained to search for human remains will be used. Dogs trained to search for human remains will be used.
Rubble mound
South Yorkshire Police said it was leading the team of "specialist search advisers" who had travelled to Greece.
The force said they would start work on Friday, examining the ground, using geophysical equipment, to determine whether any areas should be dug up.
A spokesman said: "Other specialist resources include a forensic archaeologist and search dogs.
"The operation, expected to last a week to 10 days, follows a Greek police request for specialist support to follow through a line of enquiry they have developed."
South Yorkshire Police has reviewed all material held by the Greek police in relation to Ben's disappearance over the past 18 months and obtained his DNA from Sheffield Children's Hospital.
In May the Daily Mirror reported that Greek police believed Ben may have been buried under rubble near the farmhouse.In May the Daily Mirror reported that Greek police believed Ben may have been buried under rubble near the farmhouse.
The newspaper said Greek police wanted to excavate the now-overgrown mound of earth and rubble on a property neighbouring the farmhouse which Mrs Needham's father was renovating at the time of her son's disappearance.The newspaper said Greek police wanted to excavate the now-overgrown mound of earth and rubble on a property neighbouring the farmhouse which Mrs Needham's father was renovating at the time of her son's disappearance.
Mrs Needham told the BBC at the time: "I was horrified when I saw that. I know my son is alive and well and out there somewhere.Mrs Needham told the BBC at the time: "I was horrified when I saw that. I know my son is alive and well and out there somewhere.
"That mound of rubble was already there when Ben was still there."That mound of rubble was already there when Ben was still there.
"I find it very, very unlikely that Ben is there, unless he buried himself.""I find it very, very unlikely that Ben is there, unless he buried himself."