DETECTIVES investigating the assassination of a father-of-seven at a seaside beauty spot have vowed the inquiry will not stop until all those involved in the cold-blooded killing are brought to justice.

On the first anniversary of the murder of David "Noddy" Rice, police are still trying to trace one fugitive, 30-year-old Allan James Foster - named in an earlier court hearing as the gunman who had fled the country after carrying out the killing.

Mr Rice was gunned down in broad daylight on May 24 last year after meeting underworld associates in a car park near Marsden Grotto in South Tyneside.

The shooting sparked a major murder investigation which culminated in Stephen John Bevens, 38, from Sunderland, - the man who set up the seafront meeting and lured Mr Rice to his death - being convicted of his murder and sentenced to life.

Getaway driver Derek Stephen Blackburn, 51, from, Humberside, was sentenced to four years after pleading guilty to assisting an offender.

A year on, police say they are still making enquiries to trace South Shields-born Mr Foster, who sometimes goes under the name Sean Wilkinson, The suspect is known to have associates in the Kent area, but has also spent time in Majorca, the Canaries, Spain and Thailand.

Det Supt Barbara Franklin, who is leading the enquiry, said: "Our thoughts are with Mr Rice's family on the first anniversary of his death and we hope the fact two men have been convicted and sentenced will bring them some comfort.

"However, this enquiry will not stop until all those involved in Mr Rice's death are arrested and stand trial for what was a callous and cold-blooded assassination.

"A large team of officers continue to work on this case and an incident room is still running.

"We would urge anyone who has knowledge of Allan Foster's whereabouts to get in touch."

Anyone with information is asked to ring detectives on 08456 043 043 ext 68792.