THIS haunting image shows the face of a mystery man whose body was found floating in the River Ouse.

Police released the picture today in the hope they may finally be able to put a name to the man, whose identity remains unknown six months after he was found near Naburn Lock, in York.

Detective Inspector Steve Maud said today that conventional methods of identification, including DNA and fingerprinting, had drawn a blank.

Now he fears the man may be buried in an anonymous grave without his family and friends ever learning of his fate.

In an effort to stop that from happening, scientists have spent weeks on a painstaking project to restore the man's features. They hope this model of his face may strike a chord with someone who could help to solve the mystery.

Detective Inspector Maud said a post-mortem examination had failed to find a cause of death, but the man has no obvious wounds and there was no suggestion of foul play.

He said: "It is quite unusual to be in this situation. Normally we would have expected someone to have reported him missing.

"Inquiries are still ongoing to try and establish his identity. However it is a very real possibility that this man has not previously been reported as missing to the police.

"I am hoping that someone will recognise the reconstruction and come forward. There may well be friends or relatives out there able to help us with his identity.

"Obviously I do not want the man to go to an anonymous grave. I am keen to identify him and make contact with any family or next of kin."

After the man was discovered on September 12, police launched an investigation including missing persons checks, local publicity and appeals to other police forces.

But with little response from the public, officers turned to forensic pathology experts at Sheffield University, who created this reconstruction of the head and face.

The man is described as 5ft 7ins tall, weighing 11 stone and aged between 40 and 60.

He was wearing navy blue Umbro tracksuit bottoms with yellow detail, adidas trainers and red football socks with white tops.

If anyone can help with information, they are asked to phone York Police on 01904 669884.

Updated: 15:41 Friday, April 02, 2004