DETECTIVES investigating the disappearance of a young Dudley mum 14 years ago have issued an urgent appeal to an anonymous caller with potentially vital information to come forward.

Police begun exhuming several graves at Ruiton Cemetery off Duke Street in Upper Gornal, as part of their inquiry into the death of Natalie Putt.

They are now trying to trace a man who called them from a phone box with information they believe to lead to the person responsible.

Natalie was just 17 when she left her home in Thornleigh, Lower Gornal, to go to a local shop in September 2003.

She was never seen again and left behind her baby son who was just 11 weeks old.

Detective Inspector Ian Iliffe said: "We have received a phone call from a man in a telephone box in the Lake Street area of Gornal with specific information that has the potential to lead to the person responsible for Natalie’s death.

"This crucial information could help us solve this mystery and give Natalie’s family the answers they need.

"I would urge that person to contact us again and we will ensure the information they have is treated with the strictest confidentiality."

Since her disappearance, officers have searched open land near to the teenager’s home, including underwater searches of rivers and lakes, and farmland in Wombourne where it is understood she kept horses, but no clue has been found to help uncover what happened to Natalie.

Now officers are acting on new information which they believe could help solve the mystery.

Based on this intelligence, police were granted permission to exhume a number of graves at the cemetery.

The area will be sealed off for several days while the searches are conducted.

An 18-year-old local man was arrested in March 2004 in connection with Natalie’s disappearance, but was later released without charge.

Anyone with information which may assist the investigation is urged to call police on 101 or 0121 428 6092. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Concerned members of the public who believe police may be intruding upon a loved one’s grave should call 101 extension 863 3137.