Ben Needham police want part of Kos farmhouse demolished

Police searching for missing toddler Ben Needham want to knock down part of a farmhouse built after he disappeared on the Greek island of Kos.

A second week of excavations is under way near the spot where 21-month-old Ben went missing in 1991.

Detective Inspector Jon Cousins said a newspaper photograph from the time showed part of a nearby farmhouse had not yet been built.

"I'm in negotiation with the family that owns the farmhouse," he said.

"There is reason for me to consider removing a small part of this farmhouse in order that I can be sure that I have not missed any opportunity to find the answers that I need to."

Mr Cousins said talks with the owners were difficult as many family members had grown up there.

"I fully understand the concern that the family has," he said.

He added that the operation was back on track after a delay caused when a suspected ancient burial site was discovered.

Lawyers for the landowner asked police to stop their dig while they sought certain assurances.

A team of 19 officers from South Yorkshire Police are on the island to investigate claims the toddler might have been killed by a digger driver who had been working on the site.

Ben's mother, Kerry Needham, was warned to "prepare for the worst".

Konstantinos Barkas, also known as Dino, was clearing land with an excavator close to where Ben was playing on the day he vanished.

Following a TV appeal in May, a friend of the builder reportedly told police that Barkas may have been responsible for his death.

Barkas died of stomach cancer last year.

In the 25 years since Ben disappeared, most of the theories surrounding the toddler's disappearance have centred around fears he was abducted.