Ludlow body had 'suffered severe burns'

A man who was discovered dead in woods near Ludlow had suffered severe burns to his body, police revealed today. West Mercia officers have contacted his relatives.

The man, who is thought to be in his 30s, has yet to be formally identified and his name has not been disclosed.

A member of the public came across the body at the Deepwood area of Mortimer Forest in Burrington near Ludlow. The grim discovery was made at about 8.20am on Tuesday.

Officers, who had previously been treating the death as "unexplained", today said they were not treating the death as suspicious or looking for anyone else in connection with it, after a post mortem examination yesterday.

Force spokesman Toby Shergold said: "He was found with what was thought to be severe burns and these were confirmed by the post mortem.

"We're now awaiting the pathologist's conclusions as to the exact cause of death in the coming weeks.

"I can confirm that we're not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident."

Forensics experts had attended the scene on Tuesday, with officers closing Lower Wood Road except for residents requiring access to their homes.

Police officers from Ludlow, Hereford and Leominster have been involved with the investigation at the scene, which is right on the border of Herefordshire and Shropshire.

Herefordshire coroner's officer Margaret Oliver today confirmed her office had been notified of the death by police officers.

But she said no date would be set for the inquest to open until the body has been formally identified.

Once opened, the inquest is likely to be immediately adjourned until August.