Last week the family of missing Ben Needham were given new hope when police revealed they’re chasing seven new lines of enquiry.
Ben’s mother Kerry, 43, grandmother Christine, 62 and sister Leighanna, 21, made a fresh, emotional appeal on Greek TV for information about Ben – who disappeared in 1991 from the Greek island of Kos during a family holiday when he was 21 months old.
British police officers are now investigating 85 calls and emails as well as a black and white photo which the sender claimed could be Ben.
KERRY NEEDHAM REVEALS ON ITV'S THIS MORNING: 'I KNOW THAT BEN IS STILL ALIVE'
For Kerry, although the new developments are a positive step, she's wary of getting her hopes up after years of false leads and sightings of her son.
Just two months ago, Kerry met a 26-year-old man from Greece whom she was convinced was Ben.
Kerry, from Sheffield – who doesn’t wish to name the man - tells Closer she was heartbroken when he didn't turn out to be her son and the pain is still raw.
She says: “I’m hopeful the new information will lead to Ben, but I’ve got to protect myself from disappointment as well.
"I’ve had so many people come forward claiming to be Ben, but when I met this man recently, I was convinced I’d found my son.
"He had the same eyes and smile as Ben and was the spitting image of my daughter Leighanna.
“I flew out to meet him and as soon as I saw him I felt a connection and burst into tears. Everything inside me was telling me he was my son.
“We went through several DNA tests – I was devastated when it turned out he wasn't my son. We keep in touch and have forged a friendship, which gives me comfort. But I just want Ben back.”
Read the full story in Closer magazine, out today