EIGHT years after a man's body was found washed up at Poole harbour, a missing persons' charity is hoping a reconstruction of his face could jog the memories' of his family and friends.

The mystery man is thought to have died several weeks before his body was discovered on the beach on January 6, 2000.

He was white, aged between 16 and 30 and about 5 ft 8 ins tall with a slim build and dark hair.

Despite an appeal by police for help to trace his origins, the man's identity still remains a mystery.

Now Missing People hope the three-dimensional facial reconstruction may help to unravel his background.

The national charity works closely with coroners, police, hospitals and social services to resolve cases of unidentified people; both living and dead.

When his body was found at Poole harbour, the man was wearing brown corduroy trousers, a black belt, white socks and black boots.

A Missing People spokesman said the charity had previously checked its missing persons' records for clues to his identity. But "a conclusive match" has not yet been found.

Teri Blythe, head of the charity's identification department, said: "In most cases an unidentified person is also a missing person, so it is likely that this man will have family and friends out there who do not know his fate.

"We therefore hope that this appeal will bring some vital clues that will lead us to identify this body and put an end to someone's distress."

If you have any information which might help Missing People, contact their 24-hour, free and confidential hotline number