Greek investigators searching for Ben Needham believe sandals worn by the toddler when he vanished could hold clues to 25-year mystery

THESE tiny leather sandals could help solve the 25-year mystery of Ben Needham's disappearance.

The shoes were specially made by an island cobbler earlier this week and are identical to the ones worn by 21-month-old Ben when he vanished in Kos in 1991.

Cops are hoping the sandals may help teams ploughing through tons of soil with their search.

A small piece of leather was found back in 2012 but it could not be linked to Ben.

Frank Harkness is the CSI forensic manager for Yorkshire and the Humber scientific support region, said: "It gives the searchers a better idea of what they are looking for.

"The woman who made the sandals was quite emotional about it when she realised it was connection with Ben."

Search teams have been scouring the site, in the Greek island of Kos, hoping to find clues about the tot's disappearance.

He vanished on July 24, 1991, while playing on his grandparent's farmhouse, which was being renovated at the time.

Police believe Ben may have been crushed to death by a digger after the digger operator Konstantinos Barkas, who has since died of stomach cancer, told a man from Kos that Ben died in an accident and he covered the body up.

Search teams were this morning excavating the last spot where Barkas was working on the day Ben disappeared.

Detective Inspector Jon Cousins said: "It's an area where Dino Barkas was demolishing on that day."

Officers used chainsaws to clear the area and bucket labelled 'bones' could also be seen at the site.

The search had to be stopped earlier this week after the site’s landowner threatened legal action over the discovery of an ancient burial site.

It was re-started yesterday however after negotiations led to a deal between the landowner and police.

Officers have painstakingly unearthed a septic tank and experts continue to examine decomposed materials.

Decomposition was found at four sites, with one - found in the cesspit - still remaining of interest.

Tests from other areas revealed the decomposed remains of a dog, a bat and human waste.

Ben’s heartbroken mum Kerry, from Sheffield, has told how her life has been on hold since her son went missing.

She spoke to Good Morning Britain about the new claims, saying: “He could have ended this 25 years ago. I could have grieved.

“You never forget your child but at least I would have known where he was. I could have done something with my life.

“Instead I’ve had a life on hold without being able to do anything or focus on anything. I’m living this nightmare – but it could have been ended 25 years ago.

“I could have probably forgiven that person back then. But now, no.”

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368.