POLICE investigating the disappearance of 16-year-old Damien Nettles 20 years ago say the case remains open.

The teenager was last seen in Cowes on the Isle of Wight on Saturday November 2 1996.

The final confirmed sighting of Damien on surviving available CCTV was in the former Yorkie's fish and chip shop off Cowes High Street at 11.35pm on November 2 1996.

Damien was also positively identified by his family from CCTV on Cowes High Street at 12.02am on Sunday November 3 1996.

This footage showed Damien walking to a bus stop and then back along the High Street eating chips.

A petition has been set calling for extra funding for the investigation and a documentary was shown on BBC Three earlier this year about the case.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "Hampshire Constabulary's files for the case of a teenager, who went missing 20 years ago this week, are staying open for any new facts that can be reported to police.

"Hampshire Constabulary is aware of a petition calling for extra funding towards a police investigation.

"At this time, no new facts and no new lines of inquiry have been identified; this includes an assessment of information received following a BBC Three documentary published in July this year about the case.

"Any further investigations or searches for human remains would require a substantial investment of police time, expertise and resources.

"Officers would need verifiable information to justify such a search.

"A key point to repeat and remember is the reporting of any new facts, not fictions fuelled by the repetition of rumour.

"Regular checks of information reported to police will continue to be made by Hampshire Constabulary's major crime team.

"A detective keeps in contact with the Nettles family about any updates, and opportunities to raise awareness of the case such as public events and anniversaries related to Damien."

On the night of his disappearance, Damien was described as white, 6ft 3in tall, of slim build, with short brown hair shaved at the back with brown eyes and he was wearing a black fleece jacket, dark blue jeans and black boots.

The police investigation, codenamed Operation Ringwood, has involved 1,134 people including investigators, witnesses and people of interest, 357 witness statements and 2,553 documents being reviewed and processed.

Hampshire Police offered a £20,000 reward for information in 2012 which led to 30 responses but none led to new lines of inquiry.