A REWARD of up to £10,000 is being offered in a bid to solve the murder of an East Renfrewshire man.

Crimestoppers Scotland is putting up the cash for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for killing Anthony Ferns.

He was brutally stabbed to death just yards from his home on April 18 last year.

The reward is being offered just weeks after his heartbroken mum Phyllis marked the first anniversary of his death by urging anyone with information to come forward.

Mr Ferns, known to his loved ones as Tony, was sitting in his Audi A3 car in Crebar Street, Thornliebank, when a man approached him and launched a vicious assault.

Despite his injuries, 33-year-old Mr Ferns managed to make it home to nearby Roukenburn Street, where paramedics fought to save his life.

However, their attempts were in vain and he died with his mother watching on.

Angela Parker, of independent charity Crimestoppers, said: “Tony died in front of his mother after an attack that has shocked the community. No-one should ever have to go through that. He was a much-loved son and partner.

“We know that, for some people, it can be incredibly difficult to speak up about crime, even if you, like us, believe we should all be able to live a safe life.

“Every day, over a thousand people trust our charity with their information. It may be that you’ve been unable or unwilling until now to speak to the police directly, in which case our charity can help.

"Information we receive anonymously – which we then pass on to investigators – helps to solve murders and rapes, protects children and vulnerable adults and supports families who are seeking justice.

“If you know what happened to Tony, you can speak to us anonymously by calling our UK Contact Centre, which is open 24/7, on freephone 0800 555 111 or you can use our easy and secure anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

"No matter how insignificant you think the information you have may be, please contact us. We don’t judge – we just take your information and, once you’ve hung up or clicked send, you’re done.

"No-one will ever know and you may also be eligible for a reward.”

To date, more than 600 people have been spoken to as part of the investigation into Tony's death, with more than 100 house-to-house enquiries carried out.

Officers have also examined thousands of hours of CCTV footage and a stop-and-interview operation was carried out a week on from the murder.

Police previously issued a description of a suspect, who was said to be in his 20s and around 5ft 8ins to 6ft tall.

On May 22 last year, four men – aged 33, 44, 49 and 63 – were arrested in connection with the death.

All four were later released pending further inquiries.

A year on from the murder, police say they remain committed to finding answers for Mr Ferns' loved ones.

Detective Chief Inspector Grant MacLeod added: “Despite the passage of time, I am determined to find whoever is responsible for Tony’s murder.”