A MAN'S body washed up on a beach could take at least another two weeks to identify.

A post-mortem examination on the body, found at Seaham, County Durham, has shed no light on who he is.

Police hope DNA tests, which could take 14 days to complete, will help identify him.

Detective Sergeant Cliff Down, who is leading the inquiry, said: "At this stage, there is no reason to suspect foul play, although we are keeping an open mind."

The badly decomposed body was discovered on Saturday morning by a member of the public opposite the East Shore Nursing home.

The remains were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham, where a pathologist established the body was that of a white man who was about 5ft 11in.

The post-mortem examination, however, was unable to given an age for him or accurately establish how long he had been in the water. He could have been in the sea for a number of weeks.

Inquiries are continuing with neighbouring forces because the body does not fit the description of any missing person in the county.

With the exception of socks, believed to be Totes "toasties" slipper socks, and one shoe, all the man's clothing had been washed away.

The shoe was a dark Camper brand with a light-coloured sole.

Anyone with information about the man is asked to call 0845 60 60 365.