HUMAN bones have been found in a village near Worcester, police have confirmed.

Kempsey villagers have been left shocked by the discovery of human remains, which are understood to have been found in Bestman's Lane.

Specialist officers from West Mercia Police were seen in the area on Friday, excavating the bones.

A police spokesman said officers made the discovery at 4.30pm. Officers immediately launched an investigation and say all lines of enquiry are being explored.

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Police have not revealed the exact location where the bones were found. The bones are yet to be identified, with a post mortem examination underway.

Detective Chief Inspector Carl Moore said: “We are in the very early stages of an investigation and enquiries are currently ongoing.

"We are treating this as an unexplained death and are awaiting the results of a post mortem examination.

“This could be a lengthy process but we will continue to update the public in due course.”

John Hickman, a Kempsey resident, said: "It has been the talk of the village.

"There has been confusion about what was going on.

"Rumours have talked about the remains being found by workman, who tipped off the police."

A police spokesman added this evening: “We are aware of some speculation that this discovery may be linked to the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh who went missing in the 1980s.

“Although we don't believe it to be, until we have the forensic post mortem results we are not in a position to link it to any particular person at this stage.”

Councillor David Harrison, who has lived in the village for more than six decades, said it had come as a bit of shock to learn the news of the remains being found.

"The only similar thing I can remember was when they were building flood defences and found bones - that was linked back to the Romans though," Cllr Harrison said.

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