The decomposed body of a man has been discovered at allotments in Oxford in what police have described as suspicious circumstances.

A man working at his plot made the gruesome discovery at about 9pm on Thursday, May 2, at allotments off Barton Village Road, Barton.

Police are treating the find as suspicious and have launched an investigation. The man's identity remains a mystery.

Officers cordoned off the entrance to the allotments today while the area was searched.

The body was taken to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital shortly after 11am for a post mortem examination.

Officers at the scene were unable to disclose any details of how the man may have died.

Oxford police spokesman Lucy Ferguson said the body was very badly decomposed and that it was hard to say how long the man had been dead.

She said: "We're investigating the circumstances of this man's death and cannot say any more until a post mortem is carried out later on today.

"We're treating the incident as suspicious."

A resident, whose home is near the allotments, said she was shocked to hear about the discovery.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said: "Some of the children who play in the street were talking about it, but I didn't know if it was true. Then police cars started arriving and I realised it must be." She added: "It's a bit of a shock, because the allotments are usually so quiet."

The woman said most of the people who rented plots at the allotments were Barton residents.

The allotments are believed to be owned by a a couple who live in Fettiplace Road.

Anyone with information is asked to call Oxford police on 01865 266333 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.