A MURDERED man whose skeleton was found on North-East farmland may have been the victim of an underworld execution, it was revealed last night.

The remains, believed to be those of Mark Anthony Corley, were discovered at the edge of a field near Bolam, seven miles from Darlington, County Durham, on Wednesday.

Jobless Corley, 22, who had convictions for drugs offences and burglary and had links with the travelling community, had gone missing from his home in Grantham, Lincolnshire, on July 8.

His disappearance sparked rumours he was on the run from police, or had been killed.

Detectives in Lincolnshire later launched a murder inquiry.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of murder and released on police bail.

It is thought Corley may have been abducted, and detectives have not ruled out the possibility he may have been killed in a "gangland" execution.

Inspector Dick Holmes, of Lincolnshire Police, said: "We will be pursuing a number of lines of inquiry and talking to the criminal fraternity.

"There are all sorts of theories as to how he met his death that we are considering.

"There may also have been various reasons why people may have wished Mr Corley dead."

Corley, who has connections in a number of counties, including Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, is said to have "upset one or two people" during his past.

Detective Superintendent Ian Scott, of County Durham Police, said detectives from Lincolnshire had travelled to the North-East on being told of the skeleton, which was found by workers carrying out drainage repairs.

Investigations had revealed that the dead man was likely to have been killed where he was found, although it is not thought Corley had any connection with County Durham.

Police in the county had launched their own murder inquiry on Wednesday night after a post mortem on the fully-clothed skeleton by home office pathologist Dr Mark Egan revealed gunshot wounds.

A search of the area began yesterday, involving more than 20 officers.

It was called off in the afternoon without a weapon being found. All forensic evidence found will now be passed on to Lincolnshire Police.

A series of medical and dental tests are due to take place on the remains to enable a positive identification. This could take several days.

Meanwhile, Mark Corley's family, who are said to be "very distressed", have been informed by police that the body is believed to be his. They had reported his disappearance, but despite repeated police appeals through local media he had failed to get in touch.

Anyone who has information about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance is asked to call Lincolnshire Police on (01522) 5322222, or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111