POLICE are desperately trying to identify the body of a young woman which was discovered in a stream on Penyghent near Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

The body was found shortly before 11.30am on Monday by walkers on the Pennine Way.

The woman was found face down in a stream 30 yards from the entrance to Sell Gill Hole.

There were no apparent signs of violence and it is believed she died between one and three weeks ago.

Detective Constable Pete Elliott, of Skipton CID, said: "This poor woman must have a family, friends, perhaps a partner - someone is missing her and we need to find them. She has a name and an identity and we need to confirm them as quickly as possible."

A post-mortem test conducted on Tuesday proved inconclusive and further forensic tests are now being carried out.

Police say the woman is possibly of oriental extractionand was aged between 20 and 30. She was 4ft 11-and-a-half inches tall and weighed between 50 and 60 kilograms.

She had brown eyes and brown hair cut just below shoulder length. Both ears were pierced, but with no earrings. She had a gold band on her left hand wedding finger.

She wore a fern green pair of Marks and Spencer size 12 jeans, size 10-12 pants, white bra, grey socks and possibly a short-sleeved T-shirt with green and white hoops.

Craven's police commander Chief Inspector Tad Nowakowski said the believed the woman was not from Craven, but he urged local people to help the police with any clues they might have.

"She could have been in the area stopping at a B & B or hotels or going to local cafes," he said.

Anyone who can help should call the police witness line on 01423 539334 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.