POLICE were today trying to identify a man whose burned body was found in a field.

The body was discovered by a walker in a field adjacent to Georges Lane near moorland between Chorley Old Road and Rivington Pike at 10.20am yesterday.

The man is described as Asian, 18 - 30, 5ft 7in, slim, with short dark hair shaved at the back with a Nike 'tick' emblem, a short goatee beard and moustache.

He was wearing a beige ribbed fleece, navy blue and beige cotton jumper and black elasticated waist trousers.

He also wore size eight black moccasin-style shoes, dark socks with light coloured hoops and a Lorus Fusion watch with a metal strap.

His body was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary where a post mortem examination was being carried out to establish how the burns were caused and the exact time and cause of death.

Further searches by forensic experts were expected to be carried out today.

Police have appealed for witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious in the hours leading up to the discovery to contact them.

Anyone with any information should call 0161 8725050.