March 28, 2002 10:21

HUMAN FEET FOUND IN SEVERN NOT RICHEY MANIC'S

The trainers found on the feet were first manufactured in 2001...

Photo Gallery: Manic Street Preachers

GWENT POLICE have ruled out a link between missing Manic Street Preachers guitarist RICHEY EDWARDS and a pair of decomposed feet found near the RIVER SEVERN.

As previously reported, police contacted the Edwards family after a fisherman discovered a size eight Diadora trainer with a sock and the remains of human foot bones on the banks of the River Severn, near the village of Sudbrook last weekend.

Edwards' sister Rachel told police yesterday (March 27) she did not believe the trainers could have been his, despite the fact Richey wore a size eight shoe. However, police were keeping their options open that that time.

Police have revealed this morning the trainers were first manufactured in 2001. As a consequence, the investigation continues, but Edwards has been eliminated from their enquiry. He disappeared in February 1995.

Detective Sergeant Dave Edwards of Gwent Police, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We recently spoke to Diadora and the trainers were manufactured and distributed in 2001. This has helped the enquiry enormously and we've been able to eliminate a number of missing persons, including Richey Edwards of the Manic Street Preachers."

The search for the rest of the body continues today, with the aid of Search And Rescue dogs.