The remains of a missing airman from County Durham may have been found more than 70 years on.
Sergeant Charles Armstong Bell, from Langley Park, went missing in action when his Short Sterling bomber BK716 was lost as it returned from a bombing run in Germany in 1943.
Wreckage of the bomber has now been found submerged in Lake Markermeer, near Amsterdam, and preparations are underway to recover the plane in March 2020.
It is believed that the remains of the crew are still on board and so far the families of six out of the seven brave airmen have been traced.
Police in Consett have now been contacted by the Bomber Command Museum of Canada to help track down any living relatives of Sgt Bell.
A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: "Charles Armstrong Bell was the son of James Ainsley Bell and Elizabeth Bell and lived at 10, Quebec Street, Langley Park with his wife Frances.
"On his memorial stone he is listed as a Son and Husband, making us believe that he did not have children.
"Frances later remarried a John Wharton and may have had a sister by the name of Lilly Dobbin. Frances died in 2003 and we can find no record of Lilly Dobbin.
"It is unknown where family members may have ended up, so please share this post to maximise our chances of success.
"It would be great to help in this worthy cause to ensure that an airman who paid the ultimate sacrifice is represented by his family at his burial.
"Anyone with information should call Sgt 2684 Mawson at Consett Neighbourhood Policing Team."
