Severn Bridge body remains mystery

The old Severn Bridge was closed from the Welsh side

Avon and Somerset Police have appealed to the public to discover the identity of a man who was found dead on the old Severn Bridge.

The M48 Severn Bridge was partially closed while officers investigated the suspicious discovery of the body on the westbound carriageway.

A police spokesman said the white man's body was found at approximately 0300BST on Saturday.

A post mortem examination at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, failed to provide clues to the man's identity and further tests are being carried out.

Carriageway closed

It is still not clear how the man came to be on the bridge, which links Wales and England across the River Severn.

Earlier, Gwent Police were called on to shut the Welsh side of the crossing.

Two years ago, an extensive police search was carried out after a student from south Wales disappeared.

Abduction

The body of Nicholas Boy, 21, from Cowbridge, was found in the River Severn some time after his car was found at Aust Services by the bridge.

A murder inquiry was initially launched by South Wales Police after two anonymous letters were received claiming Mr Bloy had been abducted by a drug dealer in the Bristol area.

The old Severn Bridge is still an important crossing for heavy goods vehicles between Wales and the Midlands.

The 'new' £200m Second Severn Crossing has lightened the traffic load on the old bridge, which was prone to closing in adverse weather conditions.