A unidentified man is to be buried more than five months after he was washed up on a Sussex beach.

Coroner's officers and police carried out extensive inquiries and even had pictures of his teeth published in the hope a dentist might recognise their work.

Now Brighton and Hove Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley has asked for the man to be buried.

The ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow at Lawns Memorial Cemetery in Woodingdean, Brighton.

Miss Hamilton-Deeley said she was still hoping someone might come forward with information which would help them trace relatives.

She held an inquest on January 31 and recorded an open verdict.

The dead man, with a distinctive gold tooth and bridgework, was washed up on Hove beach on November 14.

His legs came ashore opposite Brunswick Square, Hove, and, later the same day, his torso and head were spotted out at sea and recovered by a lifeboat crew. A foot was found on the beach near Brunswick Square.

The man's hands were missing which meant fingerprint records could not be checked.

There were no distinguishing marks on the body and the man's clothing had been torn off in the sea.

All that was left was a pair of Influx underpants. The man, aged 40 to 50, 5ft 8in to 6ft, with dark brown hair, may have fallen overboard from a vessel.

Detective Inspector Bill Warner, of Sussex Police, said crime was not suspected and the case proved one of the most unpleasant officers had dealt with.

Anyone with information should contact the coroner's office at Brighton police station on 0845 6070999.