AN inquest will be held this week into the death of teenager Dan Nolan nearly five years after his mystery disappearance.

Dan, then aged 14, failed to return home after a night-time fishing expedition with pals on the waterfront at Hamble on New Year's Day 2002.

Now, coroner Grahame Short will hear the details of what happened leading up to the teenager's disappearance at an inquest in Winchester on Wednesday.

It will bring back memories of a tragedy which had a huge impact on the closely-knit sailing community.

Soon after Dan went missing the search spread from the famous shores of the Hamble through the length and breadth of Britain and across Europe.

Hamble villagers turned out in their hundreds to search every inch of land and sea for clues. There was also a massive leaflet drop across the village.

Every possible avenue was explored including calling in private detectives and mediums.

Posters with Dan's description were put in ports along the south coast and across the Channel. A special website was also set up.

Motor giant Ford joined the hunt for the missing teenager with one of the company's huge trucks carrying six feet by four feet photos of Dan on both sides of the trailer, along with a helpline number.

His description was flashed across the giant screen during a Saints v Liverpool match at St Mary's and the then Southampton manager Gordon Strachan played in a charity match for the Find Dan Nolan Fund.

Across Hampshire communities helped in different ways.

Award-winning playwright Mark Wheeler, a teacher at Southampton's Oaklands Community School, put on stage the story of the teenager's tragic disappearance. Called Dan Nolan - Missing, it won national acclaim.

Dan's parents, Pauline and Greg Nolan never gave up hope of finding the eldest of their five children. They launched a £50,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of the popular King Edward VI schoolboy.

But then, in September 2003, they received the news that they had always dreaded. It was confirmation that their son was dead.

Analysis of a human foot discovered on a beach near Swanage, Dorset, confirmed that the remains were those of the missing teenager.