Police are appealing for information to trace the next of kin of a nurse whose body was found in the sea off Lyme Regis.

Devon & Cornwall Police said Lesley Stevens, aged 63, from Musbury, east Devon, was sadly found dead in April.

Lesley left her home at 7am on Monday, April 19 and her body was located in the water off Lyme later that evening. A Dorset County Coroner has determined the cause of her death to be drowning.

A police spokesman said: "Lesley had lived in the village of Musbury, near Axminster, for 18 years. Prior to this, she lived in Seaton having moved to east Devon from Kent.

"She worked as a staff nurse within the Community Care Team at Axminster Hospital. She drove a red Citroen C1 which was located parked in Lyme Regis following her body being found.

"Lesley is believed to have grown-up in, or lived in, the Kent area and may have next of kin there, however their details are unknown. She is believed to have been married, however her husband died before she moved to Musbury.

"Lesley’s body is currently being retained by Dorset Coroner’s Office while her next of kin are traced."

Anyone who has any information which could assist police enquiries to locate Lesley’s next-of-kin is asked to contact Devon & Cornwall Police on 101 or via email at 101@dc.police.uk quoting reference, EN/6156/21.