Merseyside Police officers remain at the scene of a major search operation today.
The investigation has been going on for at least seven days but police are keeping tight-lipped about the nature of the search.
The ECHO has been told that the search is part of an ongoing investigation that will last at least until the end of the week but maybe longer.
A spokesman told the ECHO: " Merseyside Police can confirm that specialist officers are currently carrying out a search in woodland, off Intake Lane in Bickerstaffe, Lancashire, as part of an ongoing investigation."
Officers dressed in white suits and face masks have been spotted using shovels to dig up areas of woodland.
Working under blue and white tents, the police are then putting the dug up ground into large black containers.
The ECHO understands that the officers have been combing a significant area on the border of Merseyside and Lancashire for at least seven days.
They are currently working on Intake Lane, Bickerstaffe.
The sound of machinery being used to clear the undergrowth could be heard in the vicinity of the search.
Previous areas where the search has been completed have been marked off in the woodland, about five minutes from the West Lancashire village.
Onlookers said police first arrived at the site on Thursday and that the numbers and activity has heightened in recent days.
Locals coming across the operation have also been quizzed by police officers about their personal details, and checks carried out on vehicle registration plates.
One person said: "It seems to be a very significant search with a lot of officers going under the ground to look for something.
"There's plenty of digging going on.
"I asked if a body had been found, but got no answers.
"The area is close to the roadside and people living locally are talking about what on earth is going on."
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