HAMPSHIRE police say they have found bone fragments in fresh searches aiming to unravel the mystery disappearance of a young sailor more than three decades ago.

It comes after a team from Hampshire Constabulary were sent over to Gibraltar to carry out searches as part of an investigation into the death of Royal Navy Rating Simon Parkes.

The 18-year-old, from Bristol, was serving on HMS Illustrious and took shore leave in Gibraltar, on its last stop before returning to Portsmouth.

But the radio operator never made it back on-board.

He was last seen on December 12, 1986.

This week, following new information, a team from Hampshire Constabulary, working with Royal Gibraltar Police, have been carrying out searches in Trafalgar Cemetery since Monday.

The searches have unearthed bone fragments, but police say these will need further forensic analysis to determine whether or not they are human.

The activity in Gibraltar has also sparked several new calls into the Major Crime Investigation Team offering new lines of enquiry both in the UK and in Gibraltar.

Detective Inspector Roger Wood, who headed up the team, said: “We knew that there was a chance we wouldn’t find Simon, but we owed it to his family and his crew mates to try.

Daily Echo:

“The information that led us to Trafalgar Cemetery is credible and as with any cold case, we will take action if new, viable lines of enquiry present themselves.

"The investigation is far from over and we will be following-up these promising leads both in the UK and Gibraltar."

He added: “If you have yet to contact us, it is not too late. If you knew or knew of Simon, were on HMS Illustrious and haven’t spoken to us yet, you may have information which could help.

“The same goes for anyone who was in Gibraltar on December 12, 1986 and remembers seeing something suspicious.”

Simon’s parents, Margaret and David, have been updated regarding the searches this week.

They said: “We would like to thank everyone involved for their support and the opportunity to again search for Simon.

“It is a very difficult time but we are optimistic that the search is not over and we will never give up hope of finding him.”

Anyone with information about the disappearance of Simon can call us on 101, quoting Operation Thornhill, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.