Body of man found in woodland on Longridge Fell 'could have been there months'

Police say the man could be aged anywhere between 30 and 70. Credit: Lancashire Police

Police say the body of a man found in woodland that 'could have been there for months', has now been identified.

Lancashire Police were called to Longridge Fell, near Clitheroe, earlier this month after reports of a body found in woodland just off Birdy Brow.

The death is not being treated as suspicious. A Home Office post-mortem examination was inconclusive.

Due to a prolonged period undiscovered, police were originally unable to identify the man who they believed could have been aged anywhere between 30 and 70.

The man was wearing Salomon Quest 04 walking boots and a black Rab and an Arc’teryx top underneath his jacket. Credit: Lancashire Police

The unknown man is described as a white, between five foot five and five foot seven inches tall and "very thin". Police say he only weighed 28 kilograms when he was found.

He may have had a beard and or moustache and had short dark greying hair.  He did have a scar on his stomach which is consistent with an appendectomy.

The man was wearing a pair of Salomon Quest 04 walking boots, a black Rab waterproof jacket and a black Rab and an Arc’teryx top underneath.

He was also wearing Rohan trousers and was suitably dressed for walking this type of terrain.

The man was dressed for fell walking. Credit: Lancashire Police

Detecrive Insp Tammy Woodhouse, of East Lancashire Police, said: "Judging by his clothing he was probably someone who did a lot of walking or spent a lot of time outdoors."


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