A body found in the woods last week is believed to be that of a Polish man who went missing over a month ago.

The body of a man in his 20s was found in woodland off Freedown Lane, on Thursday morning, very near two prisons on the outskirts of Banstead.

It is believed to be that of Grzegorz Dudek, 24, who was living in Badgers Copse, Worcester Park, although a coroner has yet to confirmed the identity.

Police said Mr Dudek was reported to be acting strangely prior to his disappearance on November 1 and "he was known to visit quiet and isolated places to go walking".

He said he was going to start a new job that morning but never returned.

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He was last seen by the family he was staying with the previous night, but had gone by the time they got up at 7am the next morning.

Mr Dudek had not worked since returning to the UK from Poland in September.

A Surrey police spokesman said this afternoon that the case has now been passed to the coroner’s office and a post-mortem is due to take place tomorrow.

He said: "It is no longer being investigated from a Surrey Police point of view. From our side the man’s next of kin has been informed."

"There’s nothing to indicate third party involvement.

"Although it is unexplained, there is nothing to suggest anything along those lines."

The body was found very close to both High Down and Downview prisons at 10.30am on Thursday.

A member of the public reported having discovered the corpse, which was quickly located by police officers.

Freedown Lane, an isolated cul-de-sac which runs off Sutton Lane, is a narrow track with over-hanging trees on both sides and continues as a bridleway until Fairlawn Road.

Reigate and Banstead Councillor Sam Walsh said police had not been in touch to give them any warnings or updates.

Coun Walsh said: "We are all very shocked. It’s a shocking thing to happen locally but we do not know the cause. It’s obviously quite unnerving."