POLICE have issued an unusual appeal to help find the family of a man who died after his ashes were found in Basingstoke.

A member of the public called police at around 5.30pm on Friday, May 7, after an urn was found near a house in Ketelbey Rise, Basingstoke.

The urn contains the remains of Paul Ash, who died on 5 January, 2007 aged 59 and was cremated at Basingstoke Crematorium on 17 January of the same year.

His last known address was in The Drive, Oakley, Basingstoke, but his next of kin no longer resides there.

Evidence Officer Louise Kreiner told the Gazette: “This is an unusual case, and we have been trying to make contact with his next of kin but with no success.

“So now we are asking members of the public for their help in reuniting Paul’s remains with his family.

“If you can help us make this a reality, please contact us.”

The urn’s details are as follows:

-Approximately 8ins tall

-Bronze in colour

-Found in a red crushed velvet drawstring bag

-Accompanied by a note containing details of the cremation from the crematorium

In a family announced, published in The Gazette in January 2007, loved ones wrote: "Paul Ash passed away peacefull on January 5, 2007.

"Will be sadly missed by all his family and friends."

A service to remember Paul was held on Wednesday, January 17, of that year. Donations were made in his memory to St Michael's Hospice via the funeral directors Geoffrey Church & Co. 48 Bishopswood Road, Tadley. 

If you can help police, please contact 101 quoting 44210175536.