CRIMESTOPPERS is today offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information on the murder of Caroline Glachan.

The 14 year-old Our Lady and St Patrick's High pupil was murdered 20 years ago.

She was found dead on the banks of the River Leven in Dunbartonshire on Sunday 25 August 1996, and to this day, her killer has never been brought to justice.

However, in the last few weeks police have launched a fresh appeal for information into her murder and that appeal was also screened on Crimewatch recently.

Last month The Reporter told how the experts were DNA testing a selection of 300 items in a bid to trace her killer.

At the same time her mother, Margaret McKeitch, sent out an emotional appeal for someone to "look in the mirror" and come forward with information.

She added: "Take a look back. And have a think back. And take a look in the mirror.

"It's a fair amount of time but for me it was only yesterday. 20 years is long enough.

"I would urge anybody to come forward, just to give me that peace and to give me closure.

"There's two questions I need answered - who and why."

Caroline was beaten and killed near the River Leven behind St Martin's Primary School and the Vale of Leven Academy after leaving her friends at Ladyton Shopping Centre around midnight to go to Renton.

Her mother Margaret was out celebrating her 40th birthday on the night she died.

Police believe a hooded man, seen running past the Kippen Dairy and Laughing Fox public house, towards Main Street, Alexandria, on the night Caroline died, could help solve the riddle.

The man leading the hunt for Caroline's killer DS Jim Kerr said: "The answer lies in Bonhill and Renton and we would appeal to people to get in touch with us and tell us what they were probably hesitant of doing in the past."

Crimestoppers is now offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information given to the charity that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Information passed directly to the police, will not qualify.

Angela Parker, National Manager for Crimestoppers in Scotland, said: "Twenty years on, and Caroline’s family are still left with unanswered questions as to what happened to her.

"I am asking for people who might have any information, no matter how insignificant they think it might be, to contact Crimestoppers anonymously, because you could be the person that provides the missing pieces to the puzzle.

"We never ask who you are or any of your details.

"You’ll never speak to anyone from the police or ever go to court.

"Please do the right thing, and tell us who is responsible for taking a young girl’s life."

If you have any information, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.