New lead in 20-year harbour body puzzle

As a result of an appeal over remains found in the harbour in1989 a witness now living in Scarborough contacted police to say he recognised the man from the 1980s when he was resident in Blackburn.

Det Sgt Stuart Thompson, leading the inquiry, said: "Although he couldn't remember his name, he thinks that he spoke with a local accent and may have been something of a loner.

"The witness also believes he may have known the man from serving time in prison around the Blackburn area, possibly in Kirkham Prison.

"I am delighted that this new information has come to light and I would be very grateful to anyone else who can help the investigation if they came forward."

Police have also released an improved facial sketch of the unidentified middle-aged man whose body was found in the harbour at 6.15am on May 4, 1989.

He was never identified, although police always believed he had ties to Greater Manchester, Blackburn, Todmorden and Calderdale.

All he had with him was a Greater Manchester Police property bag containing a few toiletries, a Barclays Bank cheque stub and cheque book cover, a newspaper, a used rail ticket from Blackburn to Todmorden and a railway timetable.

He was aged anything from 30 to 60, white, clean shaven, 5ft 10in tall with brown eyes and weighing about 12 stone.

He had a full head of black collar length hair that was turning grey and possibly combed into a centre parting. His teeth were all natural with fillings and gold cappings.

Pathologists found a scar and swelling just above his left ankle which were caused by a fracture that had not healed properly.