Ben Needham: Picture taken in 1991 could hold clue to whereabouts of missing toddler

Detectives searching for Ben Needham on Kos believe a photo taken at the time of his disappearance could hold a clue to his whereabouts.

Police believe a tree currently growing near the farmhouse where the 21-month-old toddler was last seen in 1991 was not there at the time of his disappearance.

Officers have been examining a press photograph taken at the time as part of their investigation.

Detective Inspector Jon Cousins, from South Yorkshire Police, told reporters: "A photograph was taken by one of your colleagues a short time after Ben disappeared. We've been able to analyse that with the experts who are here now.

"We're having a look at the area around a tree that's down at the base of the farmhouse because we believe that may not have been there at the time."

Police are looking into the brown sandals Ben was wearing in this photo. Credit: helpfindben.co.uk

Investigators are also looking at the type of footwear Ben was wearing in the last photo of him (above).

Officers have approached a specialist footwear maker who will make an exact replica of the sandals.

That replica will then be matched against "items of interest" found during searches in 2012.

Specialists have been carrying out a painstaking search of the potential burial site since the beginning of the week.

It comes after a new line of inquiry suggested Ben may have been crushed to death by a digger close to the farmhouse in July 1991.

Specialists have been carrying out painstaking work. Credit: PA