THE decomposing corpse of a 51-year-old Whitton man was discovered by a group of youths on a patch of wasteland in Crane Park on Thursday.

Police have confirmed that the body was that of Anthony Horseborough, of Collingwood Road, Whitton who has not been seen by family or friends since June. Coroners at Kingston Hospital conducted an autopsy on Monday but were unable to establish the cause of death as the body was so badly decomposed.

A full inquest has been opened and adjourned to a later date.

Police believe that Mr Horseborough's body may have been lying undiscovered on the patch of wasteland for several weeks.

A member of the public raised the alarm after a group of youths discovered the corpse on Thursday evening.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "At this stage police are treating the discovery as suspicious as a matter of course."

DS Morritz Gregory, at Twickenham CID, said that the Whitton man lived alone and had not been seen by family or friends for some time. Because he was not usually in regular contact with his family, he had not been registered as a missing person. Detectives from Twickenham CID are investigating.

Anyone with any information, is asked to contact officers on 020 8247 7032 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.