An artist's impression of the dead womanThe body of a mystery woman found near Pen-y-ghent will be buried next week in Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

The woman, of oriental appearance, was found nearly three years ago next to Sell Gill Hole on the Pennine Way, but has never been identified.

Horton-in-Ribblesdale parish council has provided a burial plot in the village churchyard.

An artist's impression of the dead woman

The funeral, a non-denominational service, will be led by the Rev Roger Wood next Wednesday at 11.30am.

North Yorkshire Police conducted worldwide investigations to discover her identity, to no avail. Coroner Geoff Fell recorded an open verdict on the death in May.

Walkers on the Pennine Way were quizzed by police during the investigation and the Sell Gill pothole system was searched four times.

Police ask walkers on the Pennine Way for information Det Insp Pete Martin, who lead the investigation, said: “It is deeply disappointing that despite all our efforts and investigations over the past three years, this woman is going to her grave without us knowing her identity.

Police ask walkers on the Pennine Way for information

“It is terrible to think that she may well have family friends who have no idea that she has been put to rest in this part of North Yorkshire. However this is by no means the end of our investigation and our inquiries to identify her will continue. Someone, somewhere knows who is she is. I need them to contact me.”

The woman, whose cause of death was never established, was found by walkers in a beck near the pothole.