Police are hoping for fresh evidence in a five-year-old murder mystery after a televised reconstruction last night.

The body of 35-year-old Robert Higgins was found in Craigs Quarry, Kirkliston, near South Queensferry, on May 1, 1995. He had been stabbed, and his family and friends have put up a #5000 reward for information leading to a conviction.

A review of the case has been undertaken by Detective Superintendent Ian Cowden, of Lothians and Borders Police.

The reconstruction on ITV's Britain's Most Wanted showed Mr Higgins's last known movements, leading to the discovery of his body in the quarry at Milrig Farm, some four miles from where he was last seen the night before.

''Mr Higgins was well known locally in the South Queensferry, Kirkliston and Broxburn areas of West and Mid Lothian,'' said Superintendent Cowden.

On Thursday, April 27, Mr Higgins left the home he shared with his mother in Dalmeny and travelled to South Queensferry. He spent the afternoon and early evening in public houses before moving on to Kirkliston with a group of other locals.

Over the next three days he was sighted in various places around South Queensferry.

The police are particularly keen to speak to a couple seen with Mr Higgins about 11 on the Sunday morning in Morrison Gardens, South Queensferry. Despite several high-profile appeals, said Mr Cowden, the couple had not come forward.

He added: ''What is very peculiar about this case is that Mr Higgins did not follow the usual routine that weekend. It was unusual for him to stay away from home for a few nights at a time.

''He was a creature of habit who liked to get back to his own home at night. If he didn't do that then he would always ring to say he wasn't coming home.''

Mr Higgins, who worked at Marshalls Chunky Chickens in Newbridge, was 5ft 9in, slim build, with short receding light brown hair, two missing front teeth, with a sticking plaster on his nose.