Decomposed body found in supermarket car park in Chippenham

A police investigation has been launched after human remains were found in a supermarket car park.

Detectives have not been able to identify the age or sex of the body because of its decomposed state.

The discovery was made by a police dog handler at Sainsbury's in Chippenham, Wiltshire, at 3am today.

Wiltshire Police said the handler first became suspicious after spotting a fire in the car park while on routine patrol. Once the fire was put out, a body was discovered in the debris.

Forensic officers are at the scene in Bath Road, and a post- mortem examination is due to take place later, officers confirmed.

The car park remains cordoned off and the store closed.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Power said it was too early to say whether the circumstances surrounding the death were suspicious.

He added: "We would like to hear from anyone who was in and around the area of the Sainsbury's car park between the hours of 1.30am and 3am. The car park is quite active late at night, as people drive through to use the cashpoint or walk through as a short cut.

"In particular, we would like to hear from you if you were driving through the car park or if you were the young couple who were spotted walking through the car park holding hands. You may hold information that would assist us in our inquiries, so I would urge you to speak to us."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

PA