Police have cordoned off woodland at a popular holiday resort after the discovering of a headless body.
The discovery of the severed body has promoted a major police investigation with a tent erected at the scene.
The body, missing a head was found in woods in Salcombe, Devon at the weekend - reports Devon Live.
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Emergency services were called to the scene in the holiday town on Sunday and a police presence remains.
A police tent was erected next to the woods as a forensic team continue their investigation.
Police and fire officials are guarding the scene.
The discovery has cast a shadow over Salcombe, which is full to overflowing with tourists, staycationers and second home owners.
A senior police source has confirmed that the body which has been found is definitely not that of Patricia Allen, who disappeared in the town 46 years ago.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police told Devon Live : “Enquiries remain ongoing into an unexplained death after a body was found in a wooded area near Bennett Road, Salcombe, on Sunday June 27.
“A number of enquiries will be carried out in Salcombe over the coming days, and it is likely that the local community will continue to see a high level of police activity.
“We thank them for their support and if anyone has any information please email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting reference number 0700 of Sunday 27 June.”
For many the investigation has brought back memories of the dark shadow cast over the town since the disappearance of young Salcombe mum Patricia Allen and her young children in 1975.
But senior police sources have confirmed to Devon Live that the body found this week is not linked to the 1975 murder.
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On Sunday afternoon flash flooding hit South Devon, with water pouring down the steep cliffside in the woods above Salcombe's Cliff Road. Then at about 5pm a body was found in the woodlands not far from the Salcombe Harbour Hotel.
The woods below Devon Road and above Bennett Road are popular with dog walkers. They are now cordoned off.
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