POLICE have launched a national appeal to identify a man whose remains were found close to a main road.

The death of the man, whose remains were found in May last year in Cirencester, close to the A419 Stroud Road, is not being treated as suspicious.

Despite forensics tests, police have not identified the man and are now seeking help from people in Worcestershire and nationwide.

Martin Cuffe, crime scene co-ordinator with Gloucestershire Police, said the remains had lain undiscovered for more than a year, but it was possible it could have been even longer. Initial reports suggested the man may have been homeless, but police believe it may be someone who travelled between different areas in Gloucestershire.

A forestry worker discovered the remains of the man on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 1 last year.

Police believe he was a white man between 5ft5 and 5ft8 who may have been of a large build, and that he was around 28-31 years old – however, this is not definite and he could have been anywhere between the ages of 28 and 55.

When found, the body was clothed in a black and dark grey Peter Storm raincoat, a blue short sleeved shirt with hand stitched repairs and a black gilet and blue trousers with a dark leather belt.

Dark trainers with a white sole and a beige baseball cap were found next to the body.

A small Sony wireless FM radio, aviator sunglasses, a wind up torch and a Karrimor rucksack, which had a white plastic bag covering it in an attempt to waterproof it, were found nearby.

Any information can be emailed to Op.Octave@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk, or call 101 and ask for Operation Octave in Gloucestershire.