Human remains found in a field in Nottinghamshire have been identified as those of a Pinxton miner who went missing 56 years ago.

Alfred Swinscoe was 54 years old when he went missing after drinking at the Pinxton Miners Arms early in 1967.

Alfred, a father of six, lived in Pinxton and worked at Langton Colliery as ‘a cutter’, operating a machine that cut large chunks of coal out of the coal face for others to then break down.

The last known sighting of Alfred was the Pinxton Miners Arms, which was located in Church Street West.

Police believe he had been drinking with his two sons and friends on the night of his disappearance.

Alfred was last seen at around 10.30pm on the night he went missing. He gave his son some money to buy some drinks and left to use the outside toilet. He never returned.

Officers from Nottinghamshire Police were called to Coxmoor Road, in Sutton-in-Ashfield, on April 26 after human remains were found in a field.

A subsequent media appeal prompted Russell Lowbridge – Alfred’s grandson – to contact officers.

DNA tests carried out on both Russell and Alfred’s son matched the human remains.

Police are now launching a murder investigation and are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.

Assistant chief constable Rob Griffin said: “We would like to hear from any with information about Alfred. Did you know him? Did you drink at the Pinxton Miners Arms at the same time as Alfred? Is there any information that could help us understand what happened that night?

“As time passes so do loyalties and we hope that people who may have had information at the time about his disappearance will come forward now.

“It is imperative that we find out what happened to Alfred to not only bring his family the closure they desperately need but to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

You can read the full appeal and update from Nottinghamshire Police here.