Alex Batty joy gives me new hope for Ben

Missing tot's mum in new push to find her boy

- SASKIA ROWLANDS

THE mum of missing Ben Needham says Alex Batty's reappearance gives her fresh hope of seeing her son again.

Kerry Needham has been searching for her boy since he vanished aged two in 1991. And she has been heartened by the shock discovery in France of British teen Alex, who disappeared six years ago.

Kerry said the 17-year-old's return to his grandma in Oldham, Greater Manchester, made her more determined than ever to bring Ben home.

The anguished mum, 51, said: "It shows miracles do happen and missing children do turn up even after several years.

"Although the circumstances are very different, it gives me hope.

"I will never give up on the fact there's always a chance my son could turn up too."