THE man whose body was found floating in a reservoir at the Great Dorset Steam Fair has been named as 27-year-old Teeman Jason Williams who came from Pyle, near Bridgend, South Wales.

A post-mortem examination was due to be opened on September 2 to determine Mr Williams's cause of death.

The body was discovered at around 11.10pm on Wednesday, August 31 in the reservoir, which is about 50 yards from the edge of the funfair and 100 yards from the entertainment area.

Strenuous efforts were made to revive him at the scene but he was pronounced dead on arrival at Salisbury District Hospital, a police spokesman said.

Police, who have called the tragedy "an unexplained death", have been handing out leaflets to steam fair visitors and placing posters in the grounds appealing for witnesses.

DI Rob Gillespie said: "We are investigating the circumstances surrounding this death and we would very much like to speak to anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the reservoir at this time."

Mr Williams is described as white with dark hair, and was wearing navy jeans and a pale blue button-up shirt.

Steam fair organiser Martin Oliver declined to comment.

"We're still waiting for more information at this time," he said.

A spokesman said the Health and Safety Executive would not be making an investigation because the man was not using fairground equipment or taking part in any fairground activity at the time of his death.

North Dorset District Council will be the leading the investigation alongside Dorset Police.

A coroner's inquest was opened and adjourned on September 1.

Anyone with information should visit the police caravan at the steam fair, call Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

First published: September 2, 2005