DESPITE 12 months of extensive inquiries across the globe, police are still trying to unravel the mystery of an oriental woman found dead in a stream on Penyghent.

Hikers discovered her body as they walked the popular Pennine Way near Sell Gill Pot above Horton-in-Ribblesdale on September 20 last year.

And, as the first anniversary of the grisly find approaches, police admit they are still no nearer to identifying who she was and how she died.

"It is a mystery," said Detective Inspector Peter Martin. "We have got an unidentified woman who was not dressed as a walker found dead in a beck near Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

"Why she was there, we don't know. How she got there, we don't know. How she died, we don't know. It is very mysterious."

The post-mortem examination was unable to find an exact cause of death, although the pathologist estimated that she had died between August 31 and September 13.

Over the past year, police have trawled through various missing person databases and found 323 people who matched the physical characteristics of the dead woman.

However, officers have now eliminated all but 13 and say they do not believe their woman is on the missing list.

Foreign embassies have also been contacted, but so far no-one has been able to put forward a possible name.

Even expert evidence from an anthropologist, entomologist and orthodonist has failed to take the inquiry much further forward.

Other hopes had been pinned on forensic isotope tests where the hair, bone and teeth are examined to pinpoint a person's origins.

But Det Insp Martin explained: "Our tests were inconclusive. She was oriental but there was not sufficient detail on the worldwide database to say exactly where she spent her early years.

"The tests also indicated that she may have spent the last couple of years in the UK or Northern European, but there was nothing more specific than that."

One lead being followed up is a possible link with Thailand - a gold band on her "wedding" finger has been traced to Bangkok.

"People in Thailand are fingerprinted at the age of 15, so we have sent fingerprints we retrieved from the body to the authorities over there," said Det Insp Martin.

The woman's death was also highlighted on the BBC's Crimewatch programme, but without any positive results.

"We have also done extensive media work with specialist walking magazines, but again we have had nothing conclusive," added Det Insp Martin.

Checks of bed and breakfast businesses in the area have also drawn a blank.

"Lots of work has gone on with this inquiry, but we have still not identified this lady. It is very frustrating, but we have got to remain focused and remember what our goal is - and that is to find out who this lady was and to notify her family and friends," said Det Insp Martin.

On Tuesday - the first anniversary of her body being found - the force's mobile police station will be in Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Walkers will be quizzed and officers will distribute leaflets and posters

"Once we know her identity it will be easier to piece together the circumstances surrounding her death," said Det Insp Martin.

The dead woman was aged between 20 and 40, 4ft 11ins tall and weighed about 10 stone. Her hair was dark brown and shoulder-length.

She had excellent teeth with no fillings - but a gap at the front that would have been obvious when she smiled.

She was wearing green Marks and Spencer jeans, size 12, light-coloured socks, a white bra and black pants, size 10-12. A turquoise and white horizontally striped T-shirt, size 10-12, was found nearby.

Both ears were pierced, but she wore no earrings. There was no sign of any footwear, jacket or baggage.

Police say that from evidence of toothbrush use she was probably right-handed.

She had also had a pregnancy in the past and had a coil fitted. There was an indication that when she was young she had a childhood disease such as measles.

Anyone with information should contact the police witness line on 01423 539334.