A MYSTERY man whose body was found in the River Ouse last year is likely to have a lonely funeral.

The man's decomposing body was pulled out of the river at Naburn Lock on September 12 last year.

Despite a major publicity campaign to identify him, including showing a clay model of his head on BBC TV's Crimewatch UK programme - police still have no idea who the man was.

As reported in later editions of last night's Evening Press, North Yorkshire coroner Geoff Fell has recorded an open verdict on the man's death at his inquest in Selby yesterday, saying there was nothing to suggest the death was suspicious.

A pathologist's report concluded that the man was alive when he went into the water, and later drowned.

Coroner's officer PC Richard Scott said today the man's funeral would be held in about two weeks' time unless there were any further developments in the inquiry to identify him.

Selby District Council said the man would probably be cremated. A priest would conduct a service, but only undertakers, a council representative and a coroner's officer were likely to attend.

Updated: 10:18 Wednesday, December 01, 2004