A dismembered skeleton found beside a moorland road in West Yorkshire 18 months ago has still not been identified, an inquest heard.

Experts from Bradford and Sheffield universities were called in after bones were found in March last year by the A6033 Keighley to Hebden Bridge road near Oxenhope.

Coroner's officer Leslie Scaife said the discovery was made by an opthalmic photographer from Airedale General Hospital while out cycling.

He reported it to the police, but it was initially thought the bones were those of an animal.

The finder returned to the police a few days later with some photographs and archaeologists from Bradford University visited the scene.

Forensic pathologist Dr Christopher Milroy was called in to examine the bones.

Tests showed they were from a middle-aged white male who weighed about 13 stones and was about 5ft 7 inches tall.

Death had occurred in the last 10 - probably five - years.

The spine showed signs of stress damage, suggesting the man had been habitually involved in heavy manual labour.

The headbones, arms and parts of the rib cage and legs had been cut from the skeleton with a sharp instrument and were missing.

Dr Milroy concluded that the man had been killed, his body dismembered and burned, and the remains left open to the elements.

Det Sgt Stephen Windle, of Keighley CID, told the Bradford hearing a major inquiry was launched, led by Det Supt Malcolm Mawson, who has since retired.

Staff from Calderdale Council and sub-contractors working in the area were interviewed but unable to help.

A manual search of the area, including the use of a specially-trained dog and police helicopter, failed to produce any further clues.

Det Sgt Windle said missing persons reports and medical records were studied and other police forces contacted.

One line of inquiry led officers to Manchester, where parts of a skeleton had been found, but that was quickly discounted.

"We considered carbon-dating, but it can't give us the narrow margin we would like,'' Det Sgt Windle added. DNA testing woiuld also have failed to help.

Adjourning the inquest, Coroner Roger Whittaker said he hoped renewed publicity would bring more information to light.

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