POLICE have issued a public appeal over the murders of two 11-year-olds in Whiston in 1980 after new information on the case came to light.

School friends John Greenwood and Gary Miller were brutally attacked and left for dead on the site of a disused colliery on Pottery Lane on Saturday, August 16 1980.

A dog walker found the pair hidden under a mattress at around 7.20pm on that evening on a site that was used as a rubbish tip and is now known as Stadt Moers Park.

The 11-year-olds were taken to Whiston Hospital but John died in the early hours of Sunday, August 17 1980, and Gary died three days later on Wednesday, August 20 1980.

A post mortem revealed that the boys had died as a result of head injuries, but justice has never been brought over their murders.

John’s sister Deborah Lewis said: “Losing the boys in such a horrific way was devastating for both families and has been heart-breaking to cope with – the fact that no one has been convicted for their murders has made it so much harder.

“For 36 years we have lived with the frustration and the fear that we could be sitting next to their killer on a bus or walking past them on the street.

“The murder of a child in a family causes so much pain to everyone – the very least we deserve is to find the evil person that did this and put them behind bars.

“Both the Greenwoods and the Millers are united in their fight for justice and we are supported by family and friends and local people.”

Prescot man John Cheeseman was arrested and charged with the two murders but was found not guilty after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Deborah added: “More than 2,000 people have joined my Facebook page to show their support for our fight for justice for John and Gary.

“They were two little boys who went out to play and they never came home – they were brutally attacked and left for dead.

“We would like to appeal to those who know the truth to speak up and would urge anyone who may have information which could help the police with their inquiries to come forward.

“Search your consciences and ask your – what if it was my child or grandchild?”

Merseyside Police are keen to speak to a man and three boys aged between 12 and 14 who were seen on Dragon Lane on the evening of the murders.

Detective chief superintendent Paul Richardson said: “New information has come into the police in the last month and we want to take this opportunity to appeal to people who may be able to help us find the person, or people, responsible for the murders of two 11-year-old friends 36 years ago.

“We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the boys on the afternoon of Saturday, August 16 1980, and are also interested in talking to anyone who may have been at or near to the rubbish tip on Pottery Lane as information they have could be vital.

“We are particularly interested in talking to anyone who may have seen a man with three young boys, aged between 12 and 14 years, near to the church hall on Dragon Lane, Whiston, between 6.45pm and 7.20pmn on Saturday August 16.

“Two of the boys who were seen with the man were stood on the wall of the church hall and one was in the grounds of the church hall.

“Were you one of the three boys? If so please come forward and talk to us.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact investigators on 0151 7773100 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.