THE search for the identity of the murder victim found in the canal at Burn Bridge near Selby is to go international.

The news that an appeal and artist’s impression of the man are to be broadcast in mainland China by Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television comes as police continue to investigate whether a house in Brayton where three men were arrested on suspected immigration offences is linked to the murder.

A sign pinned to the door of the house now states that no-one should enter the property and anyone wanting to collect belongings from it should first contact North Yorkshire Police. A spokeswoman for the police maintained that the arrests of the three men, who were all of Oriental appearance, was an immigration matter and they were not suspected of involvement in the man’s death.

But a spokesman for the Home Office refused to give any details about the men’s whereabouts and maintained that they were part of the police’s murder investigation. Police also believe that the murdered man, who appeared to have been beaten to death, may be of Chinese descent, although this still needs to be confirmed through working with an anthropologist.

Analysis is also being conducted on the man’s bones since, depending on which part of the world he was from, the results could reveal the type and amount of background radiation that he had been exposed to during his life.

Officers continue to believe that the man was an illegal immigrant who had been recently trafficked into the country.

They also think that his killers knew the area and that the man was not transported far after he was killed.

Anyone with information is asked to phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Non-English speakers can leave a message on 01904 669120. Alternatively people can e-mail opcaddy@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk