DETECTIVES investigating the grim discovery of human bones in a pond said today the victim was murdered and urged East Lancashire Asian communities to come forward with information.

The man leading the inquiry, Detective Superintendent Mick Turner of Lancashire police, revealed the victim, a man, had suffered traumatic head injuries.

A woman walking her dog discovered the skeleton partially submerged in a pond in a field at Charnock Richard, near Chorley, on July 26.

SuperintendentTurner said today: "There are a number of reasons why I believe this man was murdered.

"There was no clothing at the scene, no vehicle abandoned nearby, no personal effects on the body, and it appeared to have been deliberately secreted."

He revealed that the victim was probably of Asian origin.

A computer-generated image of the man's face has been prepared by experts from Glasgow University's Human Identification Unit.

A major police investigation involving more than 30 officers was launched after a preliminary examination of the bones by a Home Office pathologist confirmed they were human.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room on 01257 246271 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.