A POLICE search of woodland that followed reports a body had been buried on the land historically has been called off.

As previously reported, specialist police officers have been digging at the land off Intake Lane, Bickerstaffe, West Lancashire for a week.

Merseyside Police officers have now confirmed that they have finished their search which was launched following reports suggesting a body had been historically buried on the land.

An extensive search of the area has been carried out over the past seven days but nothing has been located.

Merseyside Police have confirmed that this search was not linked to any historical investigations.

A blue forensic tent was in place at the scene and an extensive area of woodland was sealed off, where digging and searches have been taking place.

Forensic teams in white suits could be seen on site, with the police presence appearing to have been stepped up today.

Social media speculation that the digging related to the search for Helen McCourt, the murdered Billinge woman whose remains have never been recovered, is inaccurate.