THE man leading the investigation into the death of schoolboy Ian Gourley yesterday appealed for a growing number of anonymous callers to come forward.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson said he had been delighted with the response to public appeals from Ian's family and police.

A number of witnesses had come forward and made statements to officers, but he said anonymous telephone callers and letter writers had offered information that could be important to the inquiry.

He said: "I need those people to come forward and speak to me, in confidence if necessary. Otherwise, the intelligence they are offering will be of very limited value."

Fifteen-year-old Ian, the youngest of five children, was allegedly hit by a car on playing fields next to Eden Lane, in his home town of Peterlee, County Durham, at about 8.30pm on Wednesday, November 19.

He died shortly afterwards in hospital from severe head injuries.

A black Ford Escort car was later found burnt out about three quarters of a mile away.

On Saturday, a 22-year-old Peterlee man appeared before the town's magistrates on a number of charges, including causing death by dangerous driving.

Three teenagers, alleged to have been passengers in the Escort, were charged with aggravated vehicle-taking and arson.

All four were remanded in custody to appear before Durham Crown Court on Friday.