Damilola police use 30ft image

Damilola died from stab wounds on 27 November

Police investigating the death of Damilola Taylor have projected a 30ft image of the schoolboy onto a nightclub close to where he died.

The photograph of the 10-year-old and details of the crime were displayed on the outside of the Ezekiel club in North Peckham in an effort to jog the memory of potentially crucial new witnesses.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said it was the first time the "unorthodox" method of appealing for information had been used in London.

"It's a very busy night with Christmas shoppers out late and then people going out to enjoy themselves, so this will help us to raise awareness," he said.

"Hopefully encourage people with important details to come forward."

Witness appeal

The picture was projected from a Nat West bank branch across the road from the nightclub, near the estate where Damilola bled to death in a stairwell on 27 November.

The Nigerian-born youngster had dragged himself 100 yards along the street after being stabbed in the leg as he walked home from an after-school computer class.

Twelve boys aged between 12 and 16 have been arrested in connection with the killing. Eleven have been released on police bail to return next month, and one was told there would be no further action.

Police investigating the killing are still desperate to trace a mystery witness who is believed to have seen the boy arguing with youths minutes before his death.

The witness, a visitor to Peckham who anonymously contacted a Scottish Crimestoppers office, saw a boy believed to be Damilola arguing with three black youths by the leisure centre near Peckham Library around 1630GMT on 27 November.

Two youths were said to be wearing dark clothing and a third, who was beckoned over to the group, was wearing a red hooded top with the hood up.

The high-profile case has seen one of the biggest police operations in London since the Jill Dando investigation and has included support from football star Rio Ferdinand.