DETECTIVES have appealed to the public for help in identifying a man whose body was recovered from the Grand Union Canal in 1981.

40 years ago, the body of a man was pulled from the water in Southall, with his death not thought to have been suspicious.

Despite extensive enquiries made in May 1981 and continued efforts over the past four decades, the man has not been identified.

Officers hope that this appeal may prompt someone to think about a family member or friend with whom they lost touch with 40 years ago, who looked similar to the artist's impression based on how the man looked at the time of his death.

He was white, 5ft 11ins tall, of medium build, aged 25-30, with thick brown hair worn short and with a slight beard.

He also had crooked teeth and a small scar on his stomach.

PC Maddie Kerketta, of the Met's West Area Safeguarding Unit, said: "This man was a son to someone, a family member and likely a friend to others.

"There may be a family somewhere who have spent years wondering what happened to their loved one.

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"If you can help us finally identify him so that his family and friends can be notified, please don't hesitate to get in touch."

If you have any information, the police urge you to get in touch by calling 101 or tweeting @MetCC and quoting the reference number 81FOU000002.