AN appeal has been launched to identify a woman’s body found off Chesil Beach.

Dorset Police are asking the public for help to identify the woman’s body that was found in the sea on Wednesday evening (Sept 26).

She is described as a middle to late middle aged woman, 5ft 4ins tall and of slim build – about size 10 to 12.

She has brown greying straight hair and her left ear has been pierced twice.

A Dorset Police spokesman said that the deceased was ‘partially clothed in blue leggings, black socks and black trainers with a distinct bright pink sole.’ Coastguards were alerted to the body floating off Chesil Beach on Wednesday at 6.24pm and it was recovered by Lyme Regis lifeboat.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “A post-mortem has taken place and concluded that the cause of death is unascertained and there is no positive evidence of a suspicious death.”

Detective Inspector Stewart Dipple, of Weymouth CID, said: “We are investigating the circumstances of the death.”

He added: “We are working hard to identify the woman and are investigating the circumstances of how she came to be in the water.

“I would ask anyone who recognises the description to contact police.”

DI Dipple said he would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the woman’s movements along the coast during the past two months as it is believed she may have been in the sea for several weeks, or anyone who may have seen discarded woman's clothing.

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.