THE human remains found in woodland in Old Basing are the skeleton of a woman, police have revealed.

Hampshire Constabulary has yet to formally identify the woman, but have contacted the family of a long-term missing person.

Police were called by a member of the public at 2.30pm on Wednesday, February 13, to a patch of woodland off Basing Road.

Skeletal remains were found near to a footpath and were taken away for examination.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out this morning and has confirmed that the bones are human, and from a female body.

A formal identification of the body is yet to take place, but the family of a long-term missing person have been informed of the discovery.

Specially trained officers are supporting the family.

Detective Inspector Dave Brown, from Hampshire Constabulary’s major investigation team, said: “Various tests are still to be carried out on the bones found but the death is not being treated as suspicious.

“The scene in Old Basing remains cordoned off at this time while specialist officers continue their work. I would like to thank members of the local community for their patience and co-operation while this work takes place.”