Globe readers could hold vital clues to help police solve a seven-year-old murder mystery in which a 26-year-old West Kirby man was gunned down.

Seven years ago this Saturday, Peter Singleton was murdered in his home town as he stood with his girlfriend and their three-year-old son in Column Road. He suffered head and stomach injuries and was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital where he later died.

A police investigation team has travelled as far as Scotland, Manchester, the North East and Kent in their quest for information on the killers. Two men were seen leaving the scene.

They are also keen to trace the movements of a white Vauxhall Astra van used by the gunman and his accomplice to travel to and from the scene of the shooting.

Afterwards the van was seen travelling at speed along Grange Cross Lane. It was later found in a burnt-out condition in Carr Lane, Moreton.

The two men were described as being of "youthful appearance" wearing dark clothes. They were seen entering Westry Close from a footpath leading from Carr Lane. They then ran off in the direction of Millhouse Lane.

Detective Supt Ian Mulcahey said: "We know that Pter was specificially targetted by whoever shot him; seven years on we still neeed the assistance of the public.

"We have a number of unanswered questions. Firstly, where did the two men go after they left the Astra van on Carr Lane? It is a possibility that after the van was set alight the pair got into another vehicle.

"Did anyone see a car parked in the are that wasn't usually there? Perhaps someone saw two men acting suspiciously near Westry Close on the evening of March 27 2003 and can tell us what they saw.?

Supt Mulcahey went on: "We know that when the shooting took place the van was using false registratiion plates - KP52 XGD.

"The blank registration plates have a green band round the edge of the plate face. These were made and sold to traders across the UK by one company - Signam Ltd in Warwick. If there are traders who bought plates from Signam to make up in their shop they may be able to help us.

"If we can find where the platers were made this will help us trace the person who used them on the van."

He added: "I understand that seven years on, people might not remember that night to well. However I'm certain that Mr Singleton's family remember it vividly and I would therefore continue to appeal for anyone who has information to come forward.

"Seven years on people may have moved from the area or may be in a different situation from then and now feel in a positiion to talk to the police. I would urge people to come forward -they could provide vital answers. We remain steadfastly committed to finding those responsible for Peter's death."

The investigation team can becontacted on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.