DETECTIVES are following up potential new leads in the hunt for the killer of Southampton gold dealer Ricky Haywood.

The move comes after Ricky's mother offered a massive £100,000 reward for information on the 15th anniversary of his death.

Widowed Phyllis Haywood, 75, doubled the previous reward of £50,000 in the hope of finally finding out who shot her only son in his Shirley flat in October 1989 - and why.

Today Hampshire police revealed the appeal had led to about a dozen calls from members of the public.

Det Sgt Jim Park, of Hampshire police's major crime investigation team, said: "We received more calls than we had anticipated.

"Any new lines of inquiry among the information we have received will be followed up."

Several callers are understood to have provided police with the names of suspects.

The encouraging public response has been welcomed by Phyllis, who believes the increased reward offer prompted more people than anticipated to come forward.

Phyllis, a great-grandmother, has led a reclusive existence in West End since her son's shooting.

She has pledged to sell her home to pay out the reward money if anyone comes forward with information leading to a conviction.

"No amount of money can bring my boy back but I am hoping the reward could persuade someone to come forward after all this time," she said. "It hurts that whoever killed him has got away with it and has been out there all this time, living their life."

Bachelor Ricky, 36, was found dead in the bath above his jewellery shop, Ambiance, in Shirley High Street.

He had been shot five times at point blank range, prompting speculation that he was the victim of a professional hitman.

Since then, police have interviewed 11,000 people but his killer has never been caught.

The murder investigation, codenamed Operation Tango, remains open and is regularly reviewed.

Any information to the Operation Tango incident room at Hulse Road on 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.