Police are appealing for information after a former prisoner was found dead in a south Bucks village.

Officers were called to a wooded area on private land off the A4010 in Great Kimble on August 22 this year, where the body of a man had been discovered, Thames Valley Police confirmed today.

The man was identified as 52-year-old Ashley Shay who was originally from Basingstoke – police are now trying to trace his last known whereabouts.

Mr Shay was last seen when he was released from Bullingdon Prison on May 15, but was not seen after this day.

His next of kin have been informed.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Andy Hall, of Force CID, based at High Wycombe police station, said: “We are investigating the circumstances surrounding this death which at this stage appears to be non-suspicious and we are making enquiries on behalf of the coroner.

“We are appealing for the public’s assistance in piecing together Mr Shay's movements from May 15 when he was released from Bullingdon Prison, until he was discovered deceased in Great Kimble on 22 August.

He was last seen wearing a dark blue jacket, black tracksuit bottoms and white trainers and police said it is possible that he was travelling on foot or by public transport.

Anyone with information can contact 101 quoting reference 43170250008.