by Rachel Hovenden

Detectives are trying to discover why a pensioner's body was discovered beside the River Thames.

Barrie Buxton, 69, was found dead on a small beach beside a jetty in Northfleet.

Now police have released his picture in a bid to solve the mystery of his death.

Officers are trying to establish where Mr Buxton, of Ebbsfleet Walk, was in the days before his body was found two weeks ago.

He was a well-known face in Gravesham and regularly used the bus to get from The Hive, in Northfleet, to Gravesend or Swanscombe.

DI Ivan Beasley, from Kent Police, said: "We are trying to build a picture of Mr Buxton’s movements in the days leading up to his death. Anyone who may have seen him on Tuesday, May 15, or the morning of Wednesday, May 16, please contact us.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious, but we are continuing our investigations in order to establish exactly what happened.

"It is also important Mr Buxton’s family have a clear picture as to the circumstances leading to his death.’

Mr Buxton was described as stocky, 5ft 9in, with medium-length grey hair.

On the day he died he was wearing a royal blue shirt, navy blue cardigan, brown jacket, grey trousers and brown shoes. He always wore a tie and used a walking stick.

Mr Buxton's body was found by a member of the public at 2.30pm on Wednesday, May 16, on a small beach beside a jetty backing onto The Shore.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Kent Police on 101, quoting reference KP-20120516-0780.