AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by police after human remains were found in a Hampshire field.

The grim discovery was made near a mansion, close to Magnolia Walk, in Abbotswood, on the outskirts of Romsey.

A member of the public came across the remains just after 10am on Sunday.

A police spokesman said the body was found in a wooded area off the field.

They added that the body is believed had been there for “some time”.

The family of missing man Steven Lockyer has been informed of the discovery.

Romsey resident Mr Lockyer has been missing from his home in Tavistock Close and was last seen on Saturday, April 23 last year

He has not been in contact with friends and family since that day, which is said to be very out of character for him.

Police had been conducting their own enquiries to try and locate him and launched an appeal to the public for help in finding him.

The body was found in land next to the grounds of a large house called Baroona and Belbins Business Park.

The house is currently empty and  developers have been given permission to build up to 30 homes on the site.

Geoff Tesch, 54, who lives in Romsey, works close to the field where the discovery was made.

He said he and his colleagues noticed a foul smell six months to a year ago, but thought it had come from a deer or rabbit which had been hit by a car.

Mr Tesch said: “Where it is all overgrown in the summer, you cannot see anything.

“We saw police digging so when we got told it was a body, it all fell into place. It was a bit of a shock.”

Test Valley Borough Councillor Dorothy Baverstock, who represents the Cupernham ward, said: “I am totally shocked.

“Since the area has started to be developed with lots of new housing, it seems to be bringing new problems to the area.

“I am hopeful that the investigation may help a family receive closure.”

A Hampshire Police spokesman added: “An investigation into the identity of the deceased and the circumstances of death are ongoing.”