Human bones discovered in Red Moss Nature Reserve

Police were first called to Red Moss in Horwich yesterday afternoon.

The human remains are said to have been discovered on an area off Aspinall Way.

Human remains found in Red Moss

An area of Aspinall Way, Futura Park, remains cordoned off as police continue their investigations.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called just before 3pm yesterday to an area close to Aspinall Way, Future Park, Horwich, to a report of bones having being discovered.

Human bones found in Horwich

"The bones have since been confirmed as human and enquiries are currently ongoing. A scene remains in place."

Red Moss is a wetland mossland and a national site of special scientific interest.

Residents in the area were out walking when they spotted the cordon deep in the forest area.

This is not the first time remains have been found there.

In 1943 a mummified head of a teenage girl with red plaits was discovered at the location.

The 2,000-year-old head, which had red plaits, has been exhibited across Europe since its discovery.

In March last year, police launched an investigation after a human skull was discovered in woodland near the former Egerton House Hotel.

An inquiry is still ongoing into the discovery, which led to two people being voluntarily questioned, and an inquest has been formally opened.