DETECTIVES want help to identify a man whose body was found in the River Lea in Stratford.

Officers from Newham Missing Persons Unit launched an anniversary appeal about the man whose body was found on December 12, 2009.

They have not been able to identify the body which was discovered by a member of the public in the river near the High Street at the junction with Abbey Lane.

During the investigation an artist’s impression of the man was created as part of efforts to establish his identity.

He is described as white, aged between 40 and 50, 5ft 9ins, and of medium build.

He had blue eyes, collar-length black/greying hair (receding on top) and he was unshaven. There are no tattoos on his body, though he had two, one-centimetre, surgical scars on the front of the left knee and two piercings in his left ear.

He was dressed in a white Urban Spirit T-shirt with the number 37 on the front, a blue Originals jumper, black Urban Spirit jeans in size 30, white socks and a pair of size nine black Groundwork safety boots.

Officers were in the area on December 12 this year distributing leaflets, putting up posters and talking to local people who may have information.

Det Sgt Gerard Healy of Newham Missing Persons Unit said: “If you think you know who he is or if you know of someone who is missing who matches this description, please call us straight away on (020) 7275 5728.”