A skull found in woodland near an abandoned hotel is likely to have been a male, police say.

The remains are likely to be less than 50-years-old too, but the age of the deceased person remains unknown.

Urban explorers Felicity and Daniel Duffy made the gruesome discovery of a skull in woodland near the old Egerton House Hotel in the early hours of Monday March 1, with police immediately called to the scene.

Police later confirmed the remains to be of a human skull with forensic investigations ongoing.

Preliminary results from forensic officers suggest the skull is less than 50-years-old, and most likely belonged to a male.

Police said the circumstances of how the skull came to be in the woodland remain unclear with no evidence suggesting it is linked to any other police investigations at the moment.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman, said: "Police investigating the discovery of human remains in Egerton, Bolton, in the early hours of Monday 1 March have received preliminary results from forensic officers.

"The results suggest that the skull is less than 50 years old and is most likely to be that of a male.

"Further DNA assessments are to take place next week and updates will be provided in due course.

"The circumstances remain unclear and there is no evidence to suggest at this time that this is linked to any other investigation.

"Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made. There is no additional information at this time."