Human remains find prompts police inquiry

Forensics investigators are working at the scene

Human remains have been found on land near a retail park in Stoke-on-Trent, police have confirmed.

Officers were called to a site near Festival Park in the Etruria area of the city at 15:40 GMT on Sunday after the discovery by a member of the public of "skeletal" remains.

A cordon is in place while investigators examine the scene.

A spokesperson for the Staffordshire force said: "We want to assure the local community that although this is an unsettling discovery, we have a visible presence in the area to investigate, provide reassurance and to listen to any concerns."

The force said while it could confirm the remains were human they were yet to be formally identified.

Officers have cordoned off an area of land

Anyone with information is asked to talk to officers or contact the force on 101 or via LiveChat on its website, quoting incident number 397.

People can also phone Crimestoppers anonymously.