FORTY-SEVEN years since a missing Irvine man was last seen, police have issued a new appeal to the public for help in the hope of finally finding out what happened to him.

Sandy Davidson, aged just three, was playing in the garden of his grandmother's house in the Bourtreehill area on April 23, 1976 when he disappeared. 

He was playing with his younger sister Donna, then aged two, and the family dog. 

Police say it's believed that the dog escaped from the garden and that Sandy went to look for it - but he never returned. 

Police were alerted at the time - but despite an extensive search by officers and members of the community, as well as a high profile media campaign, no trace of Sandy was ever found.

Police say that despite the passage of 47 years since the last sighting of Sandy, work is continuing to find out what happened to him.

A computer-generated image created to mark 40 years since Sandy's disappearance has been re-issued, showing what police believed the 43-year-old Sandy may look like.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Over the years Sandy’s sister Donna has worked tirelessly to try and trace Sandy and his whereabouts, and led various campaigns to ensure the public are aware of Sandy’s disappearance.

"Despite the passage of time, Police Scotland continues to work with the family in the hope of appealing to the public to assist with the search and to identify new leads into the disappearance of Sandy."

Sandy has blue eye and blonde hair.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101.