POLICE in Norfolk searching for missing Burnley boy Daniel Entwistle have refused to comment on claims he may have been subject to abuse.

Reports in national newspapers at the weekend claimed he had been a victim.

Daniel, who has the physique of a four-year-old, was said to be regularly seen at school with bruises all over his body, a source close to the investigation is alleged to have told the Press.

A Norfolk police spokesman said: "It would not be helpful to the investigation or to Daniel's family to speculate or comment on it."

Detectives are now set to release photographs of 90 possible key witnesses in the hope of a new lead as to where the seven-year-old has gone.

The individuals were captured on CCTV cameras near Daniel's home in Great Yarmouth on the day he disappeared -- May 3.

The police in Norfolk are appealing for them to come forward even if they think they could not help.

Their faces will be put onto posters which will be distributed in shops around the town.

It is now more than three weeks since the seven-year-old, who previously lived in Padiham, went missing after going to the shop on his own.

His red and white bicycle was discovered next the harbour wall by the River Yare in Great Yarmouth, where his family moved to around three years ago.

Daniel's auntie Cath Entwistle, who still lives in Burnley, said: "We have heard nothing more about where he is or what might have happened. As far as we know everything was fine before he disappeared.

"I haven't rung his mum and dad since the week he went missing because I want to keep the phone lines clear in case someone needs to get hold of them. So it's just a case of waiting to hear from them if there's any news.

"They are in shock like anybody with a missing child would be."

Sergeant Jack Askew said: "The focus of the Norfolk Police investigation has been and remains to be to find Daniel. We are keeping an open mind about what may have happened to Daniel including the possibility that he has suffered an accident or that he may have been abducted.

"We are continuing our search of the surrounding area and will be renewing our appeal to people who may have been in the area on the day Daniel disappeared."