POLICE have finally identified a body that was dragged out of a North Yorkshire canal more than five weeks ago.

He was a Chinese national who had been living in the UK illegally and under a false name since 2001 His real name was Cai Guan Chen and his assumed name was Bing Lin. He was aged 38.

He is believed to have lived in various locations around the UK and his last known address was in the London area.

In the wake of the identification detectives say they are following up a number of lines of inquiry. "The investigation is currently progressing," said a spokesman.

And as part of the inquiry police and scientists are currently carrying out a forensic examination of a property in Heslington Lane in York.

The body was found by an off-duty policeman who was fishing in a canal at Burn Bridge, near Selby on March 20.

It is thought the body may have been in the water for several weeks but the cause of death was quickly established as severe head injuries.