A young man, whose body was found in a ditch near Dumfries, may have been a hitch-hiker. Police believe he travelled from Northern Ireland to Stranraer on April 25 and probably thumbed a lift on the A75 Stranraer to Gretna road.

His body was discovered a few yards from the road on Boghead Farm, about four miles east of Dumfries, on Sunday. Yesterday, as police searched the area, a spokesman appealed for anyone who may have seen the man to contact them.

He was about 5ft 8in, of medium build, and was wearing a red, long-sleeved top, blue shell-suit type bottoms, and trainers. He was carrying a Sports Trax backpack.