A WOMAN'S body has been found lying face down in a stream near Horton-in-Ribblesdale, near Ingleton.

North Yorkshire Police are anxious to identify the body, which was found by a group of walkers on the Pennine Way, near Pen-y-Ghent, at 11.28am on Monday, September 20.

Police forces across the country have been sent the woman's description to find out who she was as quickly as possible.

Detective Constable Pete Elliott said he wanted to hear from anyone who could help, but especially from any Pennine Way walkers who may have seen the woman at some time in the last three weeks.

He 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."

The exact spot she was found was near the entrance to Sell Gill Hole, where a stream coming off Pen-y-Ghent goes underground.

Police think the body may not have been spotted before because it may have been washed down to that location after heavy rain.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said a post-mortem examination had been conducted but it was inconclusive, and samples had been sent away for further examination.

He said there was no indication of foul play.

The woman is described as 4ft 11.5ins tall, weighed between 50 and 60 kilograms, with brown hair just below collar length.

She was described as possibly of Oriental origin, aged between 20 and 40 years old.

Both her ears were pierced but she was not wearing earrings.

She had no tattoos or other distinguishing marks and wore a gold band on her left hand wedding finger.

The woman was wearing Marks and Spencer size 12 green jeans with a zip, size ten to 12 black knickers, grey socks and a white bra.

A T-shirt with green and white hoops was found a few yards downstream Police are concentrating their efforts on people who have been missing from home for between one and three weeks.

Anyone with information should call 0845-6060247.