MYSTERY still surrounds the identity of the man's body found washed up in Dartford Creek.

Extensive inquiries by Kent police have so far failed to identify the man, thought to be aged between 25 and 35. The body was spotted by a member of the public lying in the river on Sunday, March 2.

The passer-by called police to the rear of the Phoenix pub, Hythe Street, Dartford at around 11.10am. The victim was retrieved by police officers and a specialist fire rescue team from Strood.

A post mortem examination has revealed the cause of death as drowning. North Kent police, who believe the body could have been in the water for up to a month, say there is nothing to suggest there was anything suspicious about the death.

Officers have been following up a number of leads over the past 10 days in a bid to establish the victim's identity, without success.

Police spokesman Martin Pearce said: "It is possible the man may have come from outside the Dartford area and that the body could have been washed into the Creek from the Thames in London or Essex."