POLICE were trying last night to identify a man whose body was discovered by a roadside.

The body was found at about 1.30am yesterday beside the A172 between Poole Roundabout, in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, and Stokesley, North Yorkshire.

A post-mortem examination revealed that the man had severe head injuries.

Police are keeping an open mind about the find and are following a number of lines of inquiry.

They are keen to speak to anyone who was travelling along the road between midnight and 1.30am.

In particular, they want to get in touch with the drivers and passengers of three vehicles apparently travelling together from the Stokesley direction, which stopped at the scene before the police arrived.

Three men got out of the first vehicle and looked at the body, before the vehicles headed back towards Stokesley.

Police are also appealing for anyone who knows the man to contact them.

He is in his 40s with short, dark to grey hair, and about 5ft 8in. He wore dark trousers and a grey checked long-sleeved shirt, and was carrying a bus ticket from Great Ayton.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact (01642) 303134.