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FIG TREE RIDDLE

Could Sun picture from 25 years ago hold the key to Ben Needham mystery?

Cops analysing the snap noticed a tree near to where Ben vanished was not there when he disappeared

A PHOTO in The Sun days after Ben Needham went missing could hold the key to the 25-year mystery.

Police analysing the snap noticed a fig tree near where he vanished was not there in 1991.

1991: Our pic taken after Ben vanished
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1991: Our pic taken after Ben vanishedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
2016: Forensics digging by new fig tree
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2016: Forensics digging by new fig tree

Forensic experts yesterday excavated around the tree on the Greek island of Kos.

Information suggests Ben, from Sheffield, was accidentally bulldozed by a builder who then buried him.

There was speculation today the tree grew over his body.

Ben, aged 21 months, was last seen by a farmhouse being renovated by his grandparents
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Ben, aged 21 months, was last seen by a farmhouse being renovated by his grandparentsCredit: PA:Press Association
Det Insp Jon Cousins says fig tree is of great interest to police
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Det Insp Jon Cousins says fig tree is of great interest to policeCredit: Doug Seeburg/The Sun

Det Insp Jon Cousins said: "The Sun's photo is the only record we have of the time that Ben disappeared in 1991.

"It was taken ten to 14 days after he went missing.

"We have analysed the layout of the land and we've identified a fig tree that wasn't there 25 years ago.

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Here we take a look into the disappearance of Ben Needham
SEARCH FOR BEN

Here we take a look into the disappearance of Ben Needham

The Sun helped mum Kerry, now 43, kick start the hunt as local cops dragged their heels
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The Sun helped mum Kerry, now 43, kick start the hunt as local cops dragged their heelsCredit: Doug Seeburg/The Sun
British police started a new search and found fabric that could be from Ben’s shirt
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British police started a new search and found fabric that could be from Ben’s shirtCredit: Reuters
Information suggests Ben was accidentally bulldozed by a builder
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Information suggests Ben was accidentally bulldozed by a builderCredit: Doug Seeburg/The Sun

"So today we will be digging in that area.

"We're not sure how the tree got there, whether someone planted it or whether it grew naturally.

"But you can see from the photo that it wasn't there in 1991 so it's an area that's of interest to us."

It is thought that the builder then buried him somewhere close by
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It is thought that the builder then buried him somewhere close byCredit: The Sun
Forensic experts excavated around the tree on the Greek island of Kos
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Forensic experts excavated around the tree on the Greek island of KosCredit: Doug Seeburg/The Sun
Police analysing the snap noticed a fig tree that wasn't there in 1991
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Police analysing the snap noticed a fig tree that wasn't there in 1991Credit: Doug Seeburg/The Sun

Ben, aged 21 months, was last seen by a farmhouse being renovated by his grandparents.

Back then The Sun helped mum Kerry, now 43, kickstart the hunt as local cops dragged their heels.

British police started a new search on Monday and found fabric that could be from Ben’s shirt.

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