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Baffled detectives have released CCTV footage in the hope it will identify a mystery man who caught a train from London to Manchester before he was found dead at a remote beauty spot.

The man, aged between 65 and 75, was found fully clothed by a cyclist near the top of Dovestone Reservoir near Oldham on December 12, the day after he travelled to Manchester Piccadilly from Ealing.

Police said they do not know the man’s identity and that his death is not being treated as suspicious.

On December 11, the man arrived at Ealing Broadway just after 9am and made his way to London Euston where he caught the train to Manchester Piccadilly.

He arrived shortly after midday and spent nearly an hour wandering around the train station before heading into Manchester city centre.

He later visited a pub in Saddleworth where he asked the landlord how to reach the top of a hill.

He was last seen by a passing motorist at around 4.30pm three quarters of the way to the top before his body was discovered the following day by a cyclist.

Police said his body was found lying prone on the floor and added they did not believe he had fallen or stumbled.

There was no evidence of a struggle in the mud beneath his body.

He had three train tickets, including a return to London Euston, and £130 in £10 notes in his pocket, but was not wearing walking gear and had on a pair of slip on loafers.

Police said no wallet, mobile phone or other identification was found.

His DNA has not been matched on the police database, suggesting he has not been in trouble with the authorities before and no injuries were found on his body.

Police said the man’s relatives need to be traced before a post-mortem can be carried out to find the cause of death but are struggling to make sense of what happened.

One theory put forward by detectives is that the man sought out the remote spot to “find peace”.

Detective Inspector Ian Harratt said: “We have previously released images from Ealing Tube station and now we are issuing moving CCTV footage from Manchester Piccadilly train station in a bid to try and identify this man.

“We do not know if this man is local or if he is visiting the area, but we are hoping that at this festive time of year, when families come together, that someone will realise this man is missing and contact police.

“Although we have had several phone calls from people with possible identifications for the deceased man from missing people around the country, which we are very grateful for, we have been able to rule these out as they are not the same person.

“The area where the man was found is extremely remote and is used by walkers, engineers and rangers for the park.

“What we know is he was last seen at around 4.30pm on Friday, December 11 on the track near to where he was found and would appeal to anyone with information to contact us.

“We are doing all we can to find out who he is so we can tell his family and ensure he is laid to rest.”

Police describe him as white, of slim build, with a receding hairline with grey hair to the side and back.

He had a large nose which may have been previously broken, and was clean shaven.

He wore a brown heavy jacket, blue jumper, white long-sleeve shirt, blue corduroy trousers and black slip-on shoes.

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 8972 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.