A stark poster appeal for witnesses has been launched in Manchester over the unsolved murder of teenager Jessie James.Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are convinced that the local community possesses the knowledge that holds the key to catching the 15-year-old's killer.

Jessie was shot three times at 01:00 BST on Saturday September 9th in the Broadfield Park area of Moss Side, but police say that there were people close to the scene of the murder.

Officers today said they are particularly keen to talk to a group of three teenage girls who were standing outside West Indian Sports and Social Club at about the time of the murder.

"They may hold vital information to help the enquiry and it is important for them to speak out, along with anyone else who was in the area between 00:30 BST and 02:40 BST," a police statement said.

Posters have today gone up on the Asda Hulme outlet, with the advertising space donated free of charge. Underneath a picture of Jessie are the words: Can you live with it? I can't.

"The message to them is simple - no excuses, the police can be trusted and you must speak to them, not just for the sake of Jessie, his family and friends but also for the benefit of the Moss Side community," police added.

Speaking today, Detective Superintendent Tony Cook of GMP described Jessie as an "innocent 15-year-old with everything to live for".

"Some people have already contacted us to provide useful information and I am grateful to them for being brave and sensible. I now need everyone to adopt that attitude and to help us with anything they know," he added.

Det Supt Cook said that "misguided loyalties or fears" were probably holding people back from providing information.

But he insisted: "I understand people might be afraid because of what may happen to them, but we can and do offer excellent support through a range of measures, some relatively simple, and we also have our own witness protection unit. This is something we have done successfully many times before in this community. I want to take the fear factor out of helping the police.

"I am certain there are more people who can send the person or persons responsible for this to prison. Some may have to live with the murder of an innocent young man on their minds and now they will also have to face Jessie every time they pass these posters.

"Please help us, it's in everyone's interest to solve this case," Det Supt Cook concluded.