FOLLOWING a police appeal to trace the family of David Russell, homeless charity Cirencester Signpost have released a photo of the house fire victim.

Mr Russell, 55, died after a fire ripped through his home in Kemble Drive on Friday, December 8.

Police are still unable to find his next of kin and are appealing to the public for help.

A comment on Facebook suggests that Mr Russell's parents live in Australia and his relationship with them was unstable.

Ashley Walker commented on the Standard's Facebook page: "Australia mum dad he always told me thay feel out never got good word to say."

Graham Harris, chairman of Cirencester Signpost, said of Mr Russell: "He was a frequent visitor to our group Cirencester Signpost where he was a very popular and well-liked man.

"He was reserved and rarely talked about his upbringing. However, we do have a recent photo of him taken a couple of months ago outside Ashcroft Church."