MYSTERY surrounds the discovery of part of a human leg found on a bank of the River Ouse at Skelton village, near Howden.
Humberside Police said the body part consists of a lower left shin which goes into a black 'ADOR' training shoe.
The remains may have come up with the tide from the Humber or down the river from York.
They were found at 10.30am yesterday by an Environment Agency worker, Mark Lazenby, from Beverley, who was cutting rotten willow trees from the riverbank with five colleagues.
Humberside Police are checking missing persons records from forces around the region - including North Yorkshire Police - in an attempt to identify the "owner" of the leg.
Site foreman Graham Hara, who was working alongside Mr Lazenby, said: "I was just taking a break when Mark picked up a trainer and thought a stick was attached to it.
"It was a big shock when he realized it was a leg bone.
"I thought he was joking at first. The police thought it was a woman's leg."
Police sealed off the area as specially-trained officers made a detailed search.
The remains are currently undergoing a forensic and archaeological examination at the Legal Medico centre in Sheffield. They will also undergo DNA tests to see if a match can be found.
Updated: 10:42 Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article