A MAN found in a shallow grave in Worsley was shot dead, police have revealed.

The identity of father-of-two Philip Noakes, aged 30, was released by detectives early on Saturday, almost a week after his body was found in woodland in Worsley.

Police also revealed that a post mortem examination carried out by a home office pathologist on January 1 confirmed he had died from a single gunshot wound.

The badly decomposed remains of Mr Noakes, from Salford, were discovered by a dog walker near St Mark's Vicarage, in Walkden Road, at 10.30am on Sunday, December 28.

He had been missing from his home since November 1 and had two daughters, aged three and 10.

When police recovered his body, it was so badly decayed they could not even identify whether it was male or female.

A number of scientific experts including forensic archaeologists and forensic anthropologists worked with officers to gather evidence before the body was carefully moved. Scaffolding was put up around the body to carry out tests without disturbing the body.

The site, close to junction 13 of the M60 motorway, is expected to remain closed off for two weeks while further tests are carried out.

The area where the body was found is popular with dog walkers and detectives are appealing for information about anyone seen acting suspiciously in the woods from the beginning of November.