A GRUESOME discovery was made when a member of the public stumbled across what has been revealed to be a human's skeleton.

The human remains were found in a ditch off Back Lane, Charnock Richard, Chorley, on Friday at about 6pm.

An incident room has been set up in Chorley with Detective Super Intendent Mick Turner leading the investigation.

He said a preliminary examination has been carried out by the Home Office Pathologist and more tests have been requested.

Mr Turner has confirmed the bones are human and forensic and scientific tests are currently being carried out.

Detectives are treating the death as suspicious and believe the skeleton could be that of a male.

The identity and the age of the deceased is yet to be established.

The bones are thought to have been in the ground for several months.

No clothing or vehicles were recovered from the site and police are currently checking their missing from home files and liaising with other police forces.

Mr Turner is urging anybody with any information to contact the Chorley incident room on 01257 269021 or in confidence through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.