MYSTERY surrounds the identity of a teenage boy found dead in a picturesque Suffolk seaside resort.

MYSTERY surrounds the identity of a teenage boy found dead in a picturesque Suffolk seaside resort.

The youngster, who is thought to be aged between 13 and 17, was found hanged in a wooded area in Walberswick eight days ago.

A member of the public discovered the body while out walking near to The Anchor pub and Millfield Road in the village. Details of the death were only released by Suffolk police yesterday.

Police have been unable to identify the boy and have appealed for the public's help in finding out who he is.

They have released images of three distinctive tattoos on the boy's body in the hope that these may help bring forward fresh information.

It is believed the teenager's body had been there for six or seven hours when it was found. The scene was cordoned off while initial inquiries got under way.

However, there were no identifying details on the boy and despite extensive inquiries and a post-mortem examination, police have not managed to identify him or match the body with any reports of missing persons.

Anne-Marie Breach, spokeswoman for Suffolk police, said there were not thought to be any suspicious circumstances in the death.

She added: “He has several distinctive tattoos and police are issuing images of these in a bid to discover who he is.

“These include a scorpion on his thigh, a Chinese snake dragon on his arm and a fish on his shoulder blade.”

Four officers from the force's specialist search team returned to the village yesterday to continue to search clues to the identity of the dead teenager.

The team's leader, Sergeant Neil Reed, said: “We are looking at the three potential routes he may have taken to reach the trees.

“We are searching for anything which may help identify him, anything he may have discarded.”

The boy is described as being about 5ft 3ins tall, slim, with light brown hair, a freckled complexion and a moustache.

Police said they would also like to hear from anyone who may have been in the area overnight on Wednesday, August 13, to Thursday, August 14, who may have seen a young man matching this description.

People in Walberswick said they were shocked by the death. One woman, who did not wish to give her name but lives near to the area where the body was discovered, said: “It is really very shocking. Walberswick is a quiet village and this sort of tragedy really upsets such a small community. I think everyone's thoughts go out to this poor boy's family.”

A spokesman for The Anchor said: “No one seems to know anything about it other than a body was found.”

Richard Johnson, a regular visitor to Walberswick who is staying in the area with his wife Margaret, said: “People are talking about the incident, but no one seems to know what has happened to this young man. It is very sad.”

Anyone with any information about who the teenager is should contact Detective Inspector Caroline Millar at Suffolk police on 01473 613500.