A MURDER investigation has been launched after the body of a man killed in a “brutal attack” was dumped in a North Yorkshire canal.

Detectives have appealed for help in identifying the man, of “Oriental” appearance, who they say died from severe head injuries.

The body was spotted by an off-duty police officer while he was fishing in the canal close to Burn Bridge, near the A19 between Brayton and Burn, at 12.45pm on Friday.

Scenes of Crime investigators were called in and members of West Yorkshire Police’s underwater search unit later recovered the body.

Speaking at a press conference held at Fulford Road Police Station, in York, this morning, Detective Superintendent Karnail Dulku said: “An oriental male has been brutally murdered and his body dumped in the canal.

“A post mortem was carried out on Friday evening and has revealed that the man died as a result of severe head injuries.

“We have launched a murder investigation and are appealing for assistance from members of the public.”

He said police suspected the body had been in the water for around two or three weeks.

“It is believed he has been murdered elsewhere and his body deposited in the canal,” he said.

“All life is precious and what this man has suffered I’m sure he didn’t deserve.

“It is a brutal attack and he’s been presumably dumped in the canal to prevent them being caught.

“We have now recovered his body and we are making an appeal to the public so hopefully we will quickly identify who he is and bring us a step closer to the person or people who have done this.”

Det Supt Dulku said the man was aged between his late teens and early thirties, was 5ft 7ins tall and weighed about ten stone.

He said he had black, straight, collar-length hair and hoped his distinctive clothing would help identify him.

He was wearing black underpants with the logo PROEA, khaki green long-john type trousers with the logo UTEJIAO and a Calvin Klein t-shirt with a distinctive white pattern.

He was not wearing any shoes or socks.

Det Supt Dulku said: “We don’t know yet whether he was deposited in the location where we found him or he was placed in the water system elsewhere.

“We are making enquiries as to whether the lock gates on either end of the canal are used or not, but the key piece of information we need from members of the public is who is this person.

“We hope that somebody will recognise his clothing and identify this man. “Do you know anyone who has gone missing over the last month who matches his description?

“Also has anyone seen any suspicious activity in the area of the canal over the past few weeks?”

Anyone with information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.