Police investigating the murder of Andrew Bedford – who disappeared 25 years ago - have begun digging up an area of ground near Ramsey.

Forensic teams have set up a mobile crime unit and are examining an area just off Stocking Fen Road. The dig is expected to last for the rest of this week and teams are using new technology that can indentify disturbances in earth.

Police announced last week that they were launching Operation Ongar, involving officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit.

They hope they can finally bring to justice anyone involved in Andrew’s death almost 25 years ago and solve the mystery of what happened to the 27-year-old who was last seen eating a takeaway in Ramsey.

Detective Sergeant Gordon Blair said: “New intelligence has allowed us to pinpoint this area as a viable place to search with a view to recovering potential evidence.

“This could include evidence of how Andrew was killed or where his remains are today. We have technology that was not available at the time of the original investigation, including a device being brought from the University of Huddersfield which can identify disturbances in earth.”

The last confirmed sighting of Andrew, 27, was at 6.20pm on Friday, September 28, 1990, at Factory Bank, off Great Whyte, Ramsey. He was seen in a light blue Ford Cortina estate car eating some takeaway food, possibly fish and chips.

Andrew, of Tweed Street, Huntingdon, was wearing overalls, a khaki jumper, jeans and trainers and was described as 5’8”, of medium build, with mousey blond, curly, shoulder-length hair and various tattoos.

Despite a huge police inquiry, which included extensive searches by helicopter and specialist divers, a nationwide poster campaign and a reconstruction on Crimestoppers, no trace of Andrew was found.

Three people were arrested but released without charge.

Detectives believe Andrew, who was a reported missing by his girlfriend on Saturday, September 29, 1990, was killed the evening before with a shotgun at a garage called Mongrel Cars, which no longer exists, in Ramsey.

The prime suspect for the shooting is now dead but others who were involved have never been brought to justice.

Det Sgt Blair said: “We hope that 25 years on, anyone who knows anything about Andrew’s disappearance will find it in themselves to come forward.

“No unsolved crime is ever closed. Where there is an opportunity to bring those who have escaped justice to account we will.”

Anyone with information should contact the Major Crime Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.