Police have launched a probe into an "unsettling discovery" after a member of the public found skeletal remains in a retail park in Stoke-on-Trent.
Officers were called to reports of the discovery on land near to Festival Park yesterday afternoon.
Now, Staffordshire Police have released a statement confirming an investigation is underway.
"At this time the remains have not been identified," the force said.
Police have set up a cordon between a Morrisons petrol station and Stoke Ski Centre, according to local reports
GB NEWS
"A scene is in place while investigators examine the scene."
A later statement added: "We were called to reports of skeletal remains found by a member of the public on land near to Festival Park, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent.
"We can now confirm that the remains are human but at this time have not been formally identified."
READ NEXT:
Footage from the scene shows police tape, a blue tent and a police car around a footpath in the retail park
"We want to assure the local community that although this is an unsettling discovery, we have a visible presence in the area to investigate, provide reassurance and to listen to any concerns," police said.
"Anyone who may have relevant information can speak to officers, or contact us by calling 101, or via Live Chat on our website, quoting incident number 397 of March 2."
Local outlet StokeonTrentLive reported that a path between Morrisons and another part of Festival Park remained cordoned off on Monday.
Further images from the scene show police tape and vehicles around a footpath near Stoke Ski Centre, an outdoor dry slope.
A blue tent and three police cars were also seen on footage from just outside the cordon.
