3:01am UK, Wednesday November 20, 2002

A murder inquiry has been launched after the remains of a child's body were discovered scattered in and around a canal.

An arm was found taped up in a plastic bag in the waterway by a passer-by. Other body parts were later found by police searching a nearby road.

180-body-canal

Police seal off scene

The human remains were originally believed to be that of a girl aged between 11 and 15, police said.

However, it was later revealed the remains were that of a boy.

At around 3pm on Sunday, a member of public contacted police after discovering the package containing the arm in the Grand Union Canal, near to the Belton Road Bridge, in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

Further remains were later discovered on a nearby road and forensic examinations have confirmed they were linked to the initial discovery.

Home Office pathologists who have examined the remains believe that the victim was aged between 11 and 15, about 5ft 5ins to 5ft 11ins tall, with a size seven shoe.

Detective Superintendent Bob Small, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are conducting numerous inquiries to establish the identity of the victim.

"Officers are carrying out house to house inquiries in the area and members of a specialist underwater team have conducted a search of the canal near to Belton Road Bridge."