Skeletal remains identified as missing Livingston man

SKELETAL remains have been identified by police as belonging to a man who has been missing for more than 15 years.

James Adams, from Livingston, disappeared in September 1996 and was never found, despite a lengthy police investigation.

His remains were found on a secluded embankment of the River Almond in the Craigshill area of the West Lothian town in April last year. Tests have now found that they are of Mr Adams.

Lothian and Borders Police said the death of the 56-year-old is not suspicious.

Police made the discovery last year while searching for missing 88-year-old woman Mary Ferns.

She went missing after leaving her home in the Howden area of Livingston to go shopping. Partially blind and deaf, Mrs Ferns left her Vancouver Avenue house in the morning of Tuesday June 17 2008 and has not been in contact with her family or friends since.

Officers uncovered CCTV footage showing a woman, identified by the family as Mrs Ferns, in Edinburgh’s Princes Street at about 11am that same morning.

Police say they are continuing their search for her and asked anyone with any information to contact them.