A Kent man is one of eight to be arrested this morning in connection with the alleged murder of a man 25 years ago.

The unnamed 47-year-old, from Sheerness, was taken into custody on suspicion of assisting an offender and conspiracy to prevent a lawful burial.

The arrests come more than 25 years after Andrew Bedford went missing in Cambridgeshire on September 28, 1990.

The 27-year-old was last seen eating takeaway food, possibly fish and chips, in a light blue Ford Cortina parked in Factory Bank, off Great Whyte, Ramsey.

It is believed he was killed later that evening with a shotgun at a garage which no longer exists in Ramsey, called Mongrel Cars.

In April last year, cold case Operation Ongar was launched by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit.

In June, officers announced they had discovered bone fragments during a 13-day search on land off Stocking Fen Road, Ramsey, in April.

Forensic tests are reportedly still to be carried out on the finds.

Ahead of a re-appeal for information on the 25th anniversary of Andrew’s death, police also handed out leaflets and put up posters in the Ramsey area appealing for information.

The arrests, including one on suspicion of murder, were made at a number of addresses at about 6.30 this morning.

The others taken into custody were:

A 70-year-old man from Glatton, near Peterborough, on suspicion of assisting an offender and conspiracy to prevent lawful burial.

A 52-year-old man from the Raunds area in Northamptonshire on suspicion of assisting an offender and conspiracy to prevent lawful burial.

A 50-year-old man from the Ramsey area on suspicion of assisting an offender and conspiracy to prevent lawful burial.

A 43-year-old woman from the Peterborough area on suspicion of assisting an offender and conspiracy to prevent lawful burial.

A 45-year-old man from Letchworth, Hertfordshire, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

A 62-year-old man from Ramsey on suspicion of assisting an offender and conspiracy to prevent lawful burial.

A 56-year-old man from Southampton on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to prevent lawful burial.

All have been taken to March Police Station in Camebridgeshire for questioning, except the man from Southampton, who will be questioned in custody in Southampton.

A 64-year-old man from Ramsey, who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, has been released without charge.

Anyone with information about Andrew’s death is asked to call the Major Crime Unit on 01480 422791, email operation.ongar@cambs.pnn.police.uk, or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

All information given to police will be dealt with sensitively.