Detectives trying to to identify a man who was found dead and badly decomposed have appealed for help from the public.

The man, who is thought to have been a rough sleeper, was found by a member of the public in a disused recreation area next to Ive Farm Close in Leyton on Wednesday (September 30), at about 11.30am.

He is believed to have been aged in his 60s with grey hair and a grey stubbly beard.

Police say he wore shorts and t-shirt regardless of the weather and, due to his appearance, was known to some local dog-walkers as 'Grandpa'.

A post-mortem examination took place at Walthamstow Mortuary on Friday and established he died of natural causes.

The police are not treating the incident as suspicious.

Detective Sergeant Ben Voss said: “We are satisfied this man's death is not suspicious, but we need the public's assistance to help identify who he was.

“If you have any information that could assist police in identifying this man I would urge you to get in touch.”

Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Waltham Forest CID on 101.