POLICE are considering using facial reconstruction to help identify the badly decomposed body of a man found hanging from a tree in South Woodford.

Officers have only just been able to confirm the sex of the corpse as male - despite it being found suspended from a branch in Roding Valley Park, South Woodford more than three weeks ago.

The body’s advanced state of decomposition made carrying out a post mortem impossible - leaving police unable to work out the man’s age or race or any identifying feature other than the colour and length of his hair.

A contractor spotted the body while carrying out tree maintenance in the park on February 26.

Officers arrived at the scene to find it hanging more than 15 feet above the ground with a blue Apollo mountain bike and a black rucksack on the ground beneath its feet.

A police spokeswoman said: “A post mortem could not be carried out due to the extent of decay but the technician stated it was a male.

“We are waiting on DNA tests. If that fails then we will go on to facial reconstruction and appeals for information.

“The body appeared to be an adult aged anything from 18 to 60 years. The hanging was deemed to be non-suspicious as there was no evidence at the scene to suggest otherwise.

“The body appeared to have long dark brown hair below shoulder length and was wearing a blue jean jacket, a blue Tottenham jacket, black jean trousers and white trainers.”

A dog walker - who wishes to remain anonymous - said people living nearby have been left shaken by the tragic discovery.

She said: “I just can’t believe that the body was never spotted by anyone when it’s been hanging there for so long.

“It’s a bit of a gruesome thought to be honest. I’m just glad that it wasn’t a child that found the body, because that would have been really traumatic for them.

“We can only feel sorry for the person involved.”

Anyone with information should call Ilford Police Station on: 8345 1611.