Suspected human remains have been found as part of a murder investigation into a man who travelled in a car from Scotland towards England last year.

Paul Taylor, 56, has not been seen since 17 October 2023 after leaving his home in Annan in Dumfries and Galloway.

His blue Vauxhall Corsa was driven to Carlisle that night and was later found abandoned in Langwathby in northern Cumbria two days later.

Cumbria Police launched a murder probe called Operation Focus a month after Mr Taylor disappeared.

In an update on Thursday, the force said officers had located suspected human remains during a search in the Finglandrigg Wood area, off the B5307 west of Carlisle.

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People have been asked to avoid the area as police continue to work at the scene.

A spokesperson for Cumbria Police said: “Paul’s family have been informed of developments.”

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Two teenagers have been charged in connection with the case.

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In February, a 19-year-old man appeared in court charged with murder. A second 19-year-old man was later charged with assisting an offender.

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