AN inquest is to be opened today (Wednesday) into the death of missing Dudley teenager Natalie Putt - 15 years after her mystery disappearance.

Natalie, aged 17, from Lower Gornal, went missing in September 2003 - 11 weeks after giving birth to her son Rhys.

The teenager, who lived at Thornleigh, vanished without a trace and despite extensive police searches - she has never been found.

Enquiries into Natalie's disappearance have since turned into a murder investigation - although police have never found her body - and an inquest into her presumed death is set to be opened this afternoon at Black Country Coroner's Court in Oldbury. 

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "The Chief Coroner has now decided the time is right to hold an inquest. The family have been kept updated."

Meanwhile - the police investigation into Natalie's disappearance continues and officers still wish to speak to anyone who has any information, no matter how insignificant they feel it might be, that may shed new light on what happened to the teenager.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the investigation team on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.