A homeless man has been found dead after living in woodland on the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City for at least 20 years.

Paul Hamish Holland, who was well known by sight to villagers in Lemsford, was found in woodland near his makeshift camp by Giles Whalley on March 3.

Mr Whalley told the Welwyn Hatfield Times: “I just knew him as Paul.

“He lived in the woods near me for 20 years, but I think before that he was living in another part of Brocket Park.

“I used to give him some hot soup in the winter, but he asked me to stop doing it.”

Although Hertfordshire Coroner Service has managed to discover the dead man’s middle and last names, his date of birth is unknown, and his address will be officially recorded simply as “Woods”.

A spokesman said no inquest was necessary as Mr Holland had died of natural causes.