A POST-MORTEM examination has failed to establish the cause of death of an unidentified man found in a burning car at the weekend.

The old-style Volkswagen Golf was seen on fire in a lay-by on the A61, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, close to the A1 junction, at 9.45am on Friday.

Firefighters, who were called by police, discovered the body of a man in his 20s after they put out the blaze.

Peter Darley, from Ripon fire station, said: "When we were first called, we were only aware it was a car on fire.

"The police had not been able to get anywhere near because of the flames."

Initially, one crew attended the scene. A second engine was requested when heat from the car fire ignited straw in a nearby field.

Firefighters said that the area was treated as a crime scene after the body was discovered.

Police said there was no damage to the car that suggested it been in an accident.

The fire meant officers could not identify the vehicle's colour.

A spokesman said: "When the fire service extinguished the fire, an as-yet unidentified body was found inside.

"A Home Office post-mortem examination has been carried out and the cause of death has not been ascertained.

"However, the deceased is known to be a young man in his 20s."

The spokesman said inquiries were continuing and that further details of the incident would be released as soon as possible.

Officers are keen to trace the driver of a vehicle that was seen towing a cream-coloured caravan in the area at the time.

Other witnesses, or people who have information on the incident, are asked to call Harrogate police on (01423) 539334.