Police in Manchester have opened a murder hunt today after the body of a missing 10-year old girl was discovered by her grandfather.
Lauren Pilkington-Smith was reported missing by her parents late on Thursday evening when she failed to come home after playing with friends in the Leigh area of Greater Manchester.
Lauren Pillkington-Smith
Police joined family and friends to look for the girl, whose body was found in woodland close to her home after a four-hour search.
Detective Superintendent Andy Tattersall said it was too early to say exactly how the youngster had died.
"Our investigation is at a very early stage and we don't yet know exactly how Lauren died but we have cordoned off the scene where her body was found," he said.
He said officers were working to recover any forensic evidence there may be.