POLICE are appealing for help in identifying the man who was found hanging from a tree in woods near Burton Bradstock on Monday afternoon.

It is understood he had stayed the previous night in accommodation provided for wayfarers by the nearby Othona Community - but he was not a regular there.

His body was found by a woman walker.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances but the man had no identification and was believed to be a vagrant.

Sgt Steve Westhead said if anyone was worried about a missing person or who could shed light on the man's identity, they should call police at Bridport by telephoning 01308 422266. He said the police would then have to try fingerprint identi-fication or, failing that, spend months looking through missing persons files.

The man is described as being about 40 years old, with collar length curly dark brown hair, 5ft 5ins to 5ft 6ins tall wearing dark clothing. He was reported to be in Bridport over the weekend.