DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a Newcastle schoolboy have today reappealed for help from the public - on the 50th anniversary of his disappearance.

Officers are continuing to investigate the death of 11-year-old Allan Graham who went missing from his brother's house in Benwell on this day in 1970.

His body was found dumped in a ditch near Ponteland the following day but, despite a huge policing response, the person responsible for his death has never been identified.

The case has never been closed and over the past five decades officers have carried out hundreds of interviews and reviewed any new forensic opportunities available to them.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fairlamb is the current senior investigating officer and he said there are still "genuine lines of enquiry" that we will continue to pursue.

He said: "This murder may be 50-years-old but there are still people alive today who might have information that could lead to a major breakthrough in this case.

"This is the murder of a young schoolboy and that is a very big secret for a person to keep to themselves for 50 years. It is never too late for a person to come forward.

"People's memories may have faded but if you are responsible for the murder of a child then it is not something you are ever going to forget and their is still time to speak to police.

"There are genuine lines of enquiry we will continue to pursue and that is focused around tracing witnesses who were in the area at the time and going over their account.

"Many of those people may well have died but until we have traced all those individuals, and spoken to them about what they know, then this case will remain open."

Allan lived with his mother in Gateshead but on the day of his disappearance he was staying with his older brother at his home on Gerald Street in Benwell.

He was last seen while staying with his older brother, Dennis Baron, and his wife at their home on Gerald Street, in Benwell.

The schoolboy had been sent to a shop on the corner of the terrace to buy some cigarettes but he never returned home and was reported missing later that evening.

A farm worker found Allan’s body dumped in a ditch near Ponteland the next morning and a post-mortem later revealed that he had been strangled.

But even now, 50 years after his death, police still do not have a motive for his murder. However, Det Chief Insp Fairlamb says they will continue to try to find answers for Allan's family.

He said: "We have explored all the forensic enquiries available to us and any breakthrough is likely to come from someone coming forward and telling us something.

"It is a long time to keep a secret but I wouldn't rule out someone wanting to share something as they come to the end of their life, either with police or with a friend or relative.

"We know Allan's murder continues to haunt his family and we will try everything we possibly can to get answers for them.

"If you are reading this appeal and know something about how Allan died then do the right thing and get in touch with police."

Anyone with information about Allan Graham's murder is asked to contact police on 101 or fill in an online reporting form on our website.

You can also report information anonymously by calling independent charity Crimestoppers on 08000555 111.