THE partially-clothed body of a woman washed up on Studland beach remains unidentified nearly six months after it was discovered by a member of the public.

A Bournemouth inquest heard emergency services were called on December 16 last year.

Acting Dorset Coroner Brendan Allen was told the body is thought to have been washed up from an unknown location and appeared to have been in the water for some time.

The Missing Persons Database has been unable to find a DNA match.

A forensic post mortem examination and a CT investigation have been carried out but the cause of the woman's death remains unascertained.

Mr Allen was told inquiries are continuing and the inquest was adjourned until February 28 next year.