UPDATE: Body found under M74 footbridge believed to be of Larkhall man, 38. Read more here.

Police are appealing for help to identify the body of a young man found near to a busy road.

Officers were called to reports of a body lying on the southbound carriageway of the M74 around 11pm on Sunday.

The man was found under a footbridge, near to a matrix sign around one and a half miles south of junction 7, Larkhall.

As of yet, police have been unable to identify the man, who is described as being aged between 25 and 35-years-old.

Sergeant John Tait from the Divisional Road Policing Unit at Motherwell said: “Despite a number of enquiries carried out since this incident was reported to us, we have been unable to identify the man who has died. He is described as white and between 25-35 years of age and of slim build with brown hair. He has a tattoo on his right forearm of ‘Dylan’ in italic letters and was wearing a red top, grey hooded top and red Nike trainers.

“If anyone has any information on who he may be, please contact us as soon as possible. It is vital that we identify him, so we can then trace his family as a matter of urgency.

“A post mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death, however there would not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

“At this time we are also appealing to anyone who was driving on that stretch of motorway before 11pm on Sunday night who saw anyone on the carriageway or near the footbridge - particularly if they have dash cam footage - to come forward to officers.”

Anyone with information that may assist the enquiry should contact officers at the Divisional Road Policing Unit at Motherwell through 101 quoting reference number 4376 of 30 September.