HER life was a mystery, her death was bizarre - and next week an unnamed grave will become her last resting place.

The lonely funeral of an unidentified Oriental woman whose body was found in the Yorkshire Dales three years ago will take place next Wednesday.

Her body was found by a stream next to Sell Gill Hole, on the Pennine Way, above Horton-in-Ribblesdale, on September 20, 2004.

But despite a long and far-ranging police investigation that has stretched all over the world, the woman's identity still remains a mystery.

An open verdict was recorded at an inquest held in May and now the local parish council has provided a burial plot for the remains.

Local vicar the Reverend Roger Wood will conduct a short non-denominational service and among those paying their last respects will be investigating officers and a number of local people.

Among the mourners will be Detective Inspector Pete Martin, who has led the worldwide inquiry into the mystery.

"It is deeply disappointing that despite all our efforts and investigations over the past three years, this woman is going to her grave without us knowing her identity," he said.

"It is terrible to think that she may well have family friends who have no idea that she has been put to rest in this part of North Yorkshire."

When the body was found she had been dead at least a week and no longer than three weeks - putting her death between August 31 and September 13, 2004. The cause of death is not known.

As well as physical searches and inquiries across the Dales, the investigation concentrated for some time on searching missing-from-home records and every police force in the country was contacted.

A wide array of scientific experts were consulted, extensive inquiries were made in London's Chinatown, foreign embassies were contacted and appeals for information were circulated throughout Britain and the Far East, especially Thailand.

Det Insp Martin said: "This investigation has gone from the Yorkshire Dales to half-way round the world and we have learned so much about this lady - and yet we still cannot tell how she came to be up on the hill-side, how she met her end and, most poignant of all, just who she was.

"However this is by no means the end of our investigation and our inquiries to identify her will continue. Someone, somewhere knows who is she is, I need them to contact me."

Anyone who can help should call the witness line on 01423-539334.