A body found in an abandoned car has been formally identified as that of a Pole who was murdered almost 150 miles from where the vehicle was dumped.

The remains of Ryszard Sawczyk were found on Monday in a Polish-registered Volkswagen Golf near to the village of Kingston St Mary in Somerset.

Warwickshire Police believe Mr Sawczyk was stabbed to death at a rented address in Evans Road, Rugby, on either October 18 or October 19.

Senior investigators from Warwickshire Police travelled to Somerset on Tuesday and the car has been returned to Warwickshire for forensic examination.

Officers are still seeking Polish national Mariusz Szpyt - who was last seen at the wheel of the Golf found in Somerset - in connection with the murder.

Szpyt is described as white with a pale complexion.

He is thought to be between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 10ins and has short hair which is receding at the front.

The 22-year-old has "piercing" blue eyes, a moustache and a noticeable gap in his front teeth.

Szpyt came to the UK approximately seven months ago and worked initially in Yeovil, where he found work in an abattoir.

Meanwhile, police have also revealed that a member of the public found a large kitchen knife approximately a mile from where the car was abandoned.

Detective Superintendent Ken Lawrence, who is leading the inquiry, said he was particularly pleased with the amount of information coming in from members of the public and from the Polish community.

The officer added: "This case is being given widespread coverage in the Somerset area, as well as in the West Midlands and Warwickshire areas.

"This led to the man ringing to tell us about the knife.

"We have a number of other leads which we are also following up as a result of information received.

"Obviously due to the car being located in Somerset we are working closely with Avon and Somerset Police, and are grateful for their excellent support.

"We currently have 12 detectives from Warwickshire working in Somerset on this enquiry," he said, adding: "But we do not have any definite leads that Szpyt is still in the Somerset area and therefore we must keep an open mind about his current whereabouts."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the murder incident room at Rugby police station on 01788 541111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.