Salford torso find: Murder-accused pair appear in court

The remains were found at Kersal Dale in Salford on 4 April

Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man whose torso was discovered wrapped in plastic at a nature reserve.

The remains, believed to belong to a man in his 60s, were found on wetlands at Kersal Dale in Salford on 4 April.

Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski, 68, and Marcin Majerkiewicz, 42, appeared at Tameside Magistrates Court earlier.

Greater Manchester Police said that despite the charges "our work is far from over".

Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jackson said: "We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario."

A huge search of the area was launched after the torso - consisting of the bottom of the back, buttocks and thigh - was first discovered.

More remains found

On Saturday a further package containing body parts was found at Linnyshaw Colliery Woods, before more remains were discovered at Blackleach Reservoir, also in Salford, on Sunday.

A search was conducted at an industrial lock-up in Bury, while body parts were also discovered close to a railway line near Worsley Road in Eccles, where officers had been seen searching a house over the weekend.

Police searched a house in Worsley Road as part of the murder investigation

Detectives have said they believe all the body parts belong to the same victim.

They are yet to name him but said the dead man's family have been informed.

Dressed in grey prison-issue tracksuits, Mr Polchowski and Mr Majerkiewicz listened via Polish interpreters as the court heard they were accused of the murder of a "person unknown" between 25 March and 2 April.

The pair, both of Worsley Road, Eccles, were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Police said earlier that body parts had also been found by the railway line off Worsley Road

ACC Jackson continued: "We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news.

"They are aware of this morning's further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.

"Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.

"I'd like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we've had from those in the area is very much appreciated."