The burned body was found on the eastbound embankment of the M45 near Dunchurch at around 1.15pm on Tuesday (December 30) after reports of a fire at the side of the motorway.

Warwickshire Police have also released computer images of the man's face in an attempt to find out who he is.

The victim is believed to be 45 to 75 years old, his ethnicity is unknown.
He is believed to have had extended sideburns or a full beard which was dark but greying - this is not shown on the computer image.
He also is believed to have had long wispy hair and was between 5ft 2ins and 5ft 6ins tall.

The images appear to show a distinctively shaped nose and slightly protruding front teeth.

Examination of the body showed the man had suffered substantial head injuries and was dead before his body was left at the side of the motorway where it was set on fire.

Police shut the motorway for more than a day to search the scene and a six mile stretch of the road.

Det Superintendent Adrian McGee, who is leading the investigation, said: "Who have you not received a text from this new year? Who have you not spoken to? Who did not turn up? Who did you not hear from that you expected to at the start of 2009 that matches the description?

"We also want to hear from anybody that was driving along the M45 on Tuesday December 30 between 12.30pm and 1.30pm, who may have seen anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, such as a car stopped on the hard shoulder."

Anyone with information, or who was driving on the M45 at that time, can call the incident room on 01926 415791 or 01926 415789. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.