POLICE yesterday continued their painstaking search of a rubbish tip where human remains were recovered.

The dump at Strensall, near York, is being treated as a major crime scene following the discovery on Thursday.

A variety of bones were uncovered three to four feet down at Towthorpe tip by a digger operator carrying out drainage works.

Their age and sex is still being determined.

More items have been removed from the scene, although exactly what has not been revealed.

Inspector Andy Everitt said the search was a painstaking operation.

He said: "We are looking to widen the search area from where the bones were found and also hope to complete the search while the good weather holds.

"More items are being recovered from the scene. At the moment they are being treated as exhibits and will be fully assessed later."

Nearby residents have been shocked by the discovery.

Margaret Yates, who has lived at Strensall for 64 years, said: "Those bones could have been there for donkey's years. Who knows how long they've been dumping rubbish there?

"It is still unnerving, though, to think that human bones have been found so close to home."