Postponed exhumation to take place at Menai Bridge on Anglesey

Police will try to find out the identity of an unknown man who was buried on Anglesey 30 years ago.

The man whose body was recovered from the sea off Anglesey was buried at Menai Bridge in 1983 after investigation to find out who he was proved fruitless.

Police believe they know the identity of the man, who was in his 30s, and now plan to use DNA to confirm that.

An exhumation will take place on Thursday.

Police said it was delayed from an original date in November for clarification of a legal point.

A licence for the exhumation has been issued by the Ministry of Justice and the local coroner has been consulted.

Family's sake

Menai Bridge cemetery will be closed for the day while police and forensic experts exhume the remains and recover them for examination.

Det Con Don Kenyon of North Wales Police said. "The circumstances surrounding this man's death are not suspicious, we are merely attempting to identify him for his family's sake.

"That process will involve carefully obtaining DNA samples and comparing them against the DNA from individuals we have identified as possible family members.

"The family has been made aware of the proposed exhumation and are supportive of the action.

"This will be a very emotional time for them and they have been reassured that we will conduct the whole process in the most dignified and sensitive way possible."

Sensitive process

Families connected to adjacent graves and people living nearby have also been contacted.

Mr Kenyon said he is aware exhumation is a rare and sometimes sensitive process.

"I am very conscious of the feelings of all concerned, families of those buried in the cemetery and the surrounding community and can assure all that due regard and respect will be paid during the process which we hope to have concluded by late afternoon."

He added it is hoped that results of the DNA analysis will be complete within three weeks.