Inheritance 'incentive' to solve missing girl puzzle

Paige Chivers has not been seen since she left her home in Blackpool in August 2007 and police say there is no proof she is alive.

From yesterday, the teenager was entitled to her inheritance following the death of her mother Sheila, 48, in February 2007.

Det Chief Insp Mark Rothwell, from Lancashire Police's major investigation team, said: "This is a significant milestone in Paige's life; the fact that she is set to inherit a substantial amount of money is a huge incentive for her to get in touch if she is able to. Sadly, if she doesn't make contact it further heightens fears that she has befallen some harm.

"Despite the passage of time, we still want people to come forward with information as to what happened to Paige when she left the family home."

The inquiry remains Lancashire Police's most heavily resourced major investigation with more than 2,800 people questioned and more than 1,200 statements taken.

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of her murder and released without charge.

The police remain convinced there are people in Blackpool that hold the clues to finding Paige and a 12,000 reward for any information that helps police resolve the case is still on offer.

Mr Rothwell added: "The public should be left in no doubt that this is very much a live investigation and we have many lines of inquiry ongoing to discover what has happened to Paige and to provide some answers for her family."