THE son of a mechanic murdered 28 years ago is appealing for help to catch his father's killer.

Tom Hewitt, who lived in Sharples, was hit over the head with an iron bar as he worked at his garage in Bury on September 7, 1974.

But, despite repeated police appeals -- an investigation which extended as far as New Zealand -- and a TV reconstruction of his last hours, the killer has never been caught.

Mr Hewitt's welder son Paul, aged 35, who lives in Nottingham, visited his father's grave in Astley Bridge on the anniversary of his murder on Saturday just as he does every year.

"My father was killed three weeks before my eighth birthday," said Mr Hewitt, who is married and has four children.

"I am always wondering what happened. I just want to know the truth. Did he upset someone by ripping them off over a clutch? Was it something more serious or was there some other reason we don't know about? I can't stop thinking that the person who did it is still out there."

After splitting up with Paul's mother Pam, Tom Hewitt lived with a woman called Sylvia in Rosedale Avenue, Sharples, for four years before his death.

They had a son called David and were due to marry just weeks after the murder.

Bury CID received some calls after last year's TV appeal but no significant new leads.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Bury CID on 0161 872 5050.

The evidence

Tom Hewitt was found dead at 11.30am on September 7 by garage co-owner Ian Cottrell. He had been hit across the head several times with a blunt instrument, believed to be an iron bar.

Detectives began searching for an "angry man" seen twice in two weeks looking agitated at the Bright Street garage asking for Mr Hewitt.

They questioned customers and friends at his favourite pubs the Swan Hotel in Tottington Road and Blighty's in Farnworth and visited people in Wales, Derby and Stoke.

Interpol became involved when police decided people who had migrated to New Zealand from Bury should be interviewed.

Detectives said Mr Hewitt could have been attacked by a jealous husband or boyfriend although this was contested by his family.