Newham detectives have released a computer generated image of a man found drowned in Stratford in 2009 in a final attempt to identify him.

His body was discovered on December 12 2009 by a member of the public in the River Lea near the High Street, junction with Abbey Lane, Stratford. It had been in the water for a matter of hours and was found with no injuries.

A post-mortem gave the cause of death as drowning. The death was initially treated as unexplained and then, following further enquiries treated as non-suspicious.

Detective Sergeant Gerard Healy, of Newham Police, said: “In the intervening three years, officers have worked tirelessly to trace this man’s identity via numerous media appeals, and by exhaustive lines of enquiry, some international which have extended as far as Australia.

“We remain optimistic that this anniversary appeal along with the release of a new computer generated image, will finally lead to the identification and the dignified burial that this man deserves.”

During the course of the three-year investigation, an artist’s impression of the man was created, and a photograph of a t-shirt the deceased was recovered in was released to establish his identity.

He is described as white, aged between 40 and 50, around 5ft 9inches tall and of medium build. He had blue eyes, collar length black/greying hair and was unshaven.

Anyone with information is urged to call the incident room at Newham on 020 8217 4383.