Is missing British aristocrat in Marton?

A decades old hunt for a missing British aristocrat is being renewed and is moving to the New Zealand township of Marton following claims he may be living rough there.

Lord Lucan, who was born Richard Bingham in 1934, disappeared after the nanny of his children was found murdered in London in 1974.

His estranged wife claimed at the time that Lord Lucan had admitted to the crime and said it was a mistake.

The Dominion Post reported today that former Scotland Yard detective Sidney Ball is leading a fresh attempt to solve the mysterious disappearance.

The Marton link came following claims Lucan is living in an old Land Rover outside the town with a cat and a pet possum.

The newspaper said a television production company was taking him to Marton, where he will be filmed for a programme about neighbours being at war.

Mr Ball said neighbours of the man were convinced he was Lucan but couldn't discuss the case further until his investigation was complete.

Rangitikei Mayor Bob Buchanan said he agreed there was a resemblance between Lucan and the man in the Land Rover.

Neighbours said the man has an upper class English accent and it was understood he was receiving money from property interests in Britain.

There were rumours at the time of the murder Lucan wanted custody of his children and had killed their nanny after mistaking her for his estranged wife.

- NZPA