DETECTIVES have appealed for witnesses who may have seen a burning car near a shallow grave in which a man's body was found.

Philip Noakes' partially decomposed remains were found by a dog walker in woodland near St Mark's Vicarage in Walkden Road, Worsley, on Sunday, December 28.

The father-of-two, who had become involved with hard drugs, died from a gunshot wound to the chest. He had been missing since November 1.

Police are urging anyone who saw a blue egistration Toyota Paseo -- stolen from Ellesmere Street, Swinton on October 22 -- to come forward. They are also appealing for witnesses who may have seen a fire in the woods at that time.

It is not sure whether the burnt out car is connected to Mr Noakes' murder.

Police revealed yesterday that Mr Noakes' daughter Rhia, 10, wrote a touching poem begging for her father to come home just days after he went missing.

Witnesses should contact the incident room on 0161 856 5185.

Police believe car

may hold the key

to dad's murder