Two sets of human remains found in suburban garden

Police said the discovery was made by officers in the back garden of a property in Blenheim Close, Forest Town, near Mansfield, yesterday.

A spokesman said it is believed the remains had been there for some time.

Officers were led to the address after information came to light about an “incident” alleged to have taken place in the late 1990s.

The remains have yet to be formally identified.

Post-mortem examinations to establish the cause of death are due to take place today.

The scene has been cordoned off while forensic examinations are carried out.

Two officers stood guard outside the property at the top of Blenheim Close today.

A white police tent could be seen in the back garden along with piles of soil and a small white digger.

Forensics teams could be seen entering the garden.

A police spokeswoman at the scene said the current occupiers were not part of the investigation at this time.

She said: “They have been really supportive and understanding of the investigation.”

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she knew of an elderly couple who used to live at the house in the 1990s.

The 51-year-old, who did not want to be named but lives with her partner and 16-year-old son, said: “I only saw the man a few times. I never saw the lady or any family.

“I’ve lived here for 18 years. They were living at the house when I moved in.

“But they never had any visitors. I never saw anyone coming or going. My friend and I always used to say ‘I wonder what happened to that couple’. They just disappeared. We thought they had emigrated.”

She said she believed the house then stood empty until the present occupiers moved in around seven years ago.