Police search woodland 'for body of missing person from many years ago'

Police are digging up woodland as part of an investigation into a missing person, the Manchester Evening News understands.

It is understood the inquiry dates back years, but new information has triggered the search.

Police first arrived in the area, and erected the cordon, at around 8am on Monday morning. (February 7).

The footpath, which links two housing estates and runs from Sherborne Road in Cheadle Heath, to Carrs Road in Cheadle, remained taped off with officers standing guard at either end on Tuesday morning.

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Specialist officers could be seen searching a wooded area at the Sherborne Road end of the path.

A small machine understood to help officers determine the density of ground could be seen being dragged around the area.

A digger was then taken off a low loader and brought through the trees, where it could be seen dragging away the earth.

One officer could be seen taking photographs of the scene.

A GMP crime scene investigation van was parked next to the cordon with forensic officers in plain clothes seen going in and out clutching evidence bags.

A number of other police vehicles were also parked nearby.

In a statement issued early today GMP said: "Officers from GMP Stockport are searching land between Sherborne Road in Cheadle Heath and Carrs Avenue in Cheadle. This is part of an ongoing investigation.

"No more details will be released at this stage but we will provide updates when we are able to. We are working with the local community to minimise disruption."

One man living nearby said: “It’s a very public footpath that, loads of people use it.

“I walk through the path to take my daughter to school.

“I had gone to pick