POLICE are today treating the death of a woman whose burnt body was found in deserted countryside as suspicious.The dead woman, thought to be aged between early 20s and late 30s, was found by two passers by on a deserted stretch of road near Castle Hedingham, Essex.

POLICE are today treating the death of a woman whose burnt body was found in deserted countryside as suspicious.

The dead woman, thought to be aged between early 20s and late 30s, was found by two passers by on a deserted stretch of road near Castle Hedingham, Essex.

All the clothes had been burnt from the woman's body, leaving only rings and an ankle bracelet as a possible means of identification.

Firefighters were called to the scene but soon realised the fire was caused by the burning body of a woman.

This morning forensic officers, a pathologist and a fire investigators were at the scene at Dynsehall Road where the body remained, expected to be taken away for a post mortem earlier this afternoon.

Police are going through missing persons files hoping to identify the woman and her height is thought to be between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 7ins, she is white and of slim build.

Scientific support officer Detective Inspector Nick Hale said: " Firefighters put the fire out quickly so the body isn't too badly burnt. All her clothes were burnt, however."

A post mortem will attempt to discover the cause of death and whether the body had been killed before it was dumped. According to the Detective Inspector, on first sight the body showed no signs of being subjected to a violent death. It was too early to speculate if she had been the victim of any sexual assault.

The murder mirrors a similar case in Essex three weeks ago at West Hanningfield where a burning body was also dumped in hedgerow. Police area appealing for any witnesses in the area who may have seen an unfamiliar or speeding vehicle to come forward.