POLICE and trading standards have launched an inquiry after the grisly discovery of a pig's head and innards dumped near to homes in a Hampshire town.

A black bin bag containing the remains was found in Broadly Close, Pennington, near Lymington, by a householder who immediately alerted the police.

PC Gary Kimble said they were treating the incident as a theft case.

"I have no doubt a farmer or smallholder out there is missing one of their pigs," he said.

"There was not much left but it looked like it was once a large white-skinned pig. But whoever rustled it had taken all the useful bits - they are probably in his freezer.

"It was horrible. The area is near schools attended by hundreds of children, and the animal remains were just dumped in a plastic bag - not even in a bin - on a very warm day," said PC Kimble.

Roger Sired of New Forest District Council warned of the health risk.

"It is illegal to put animal waste of this size out with the domestic rubbish," he said.

"Anything bigger than a chicken carcass counts as agricultural waste and should be disposed of in the proper manner. It is a risk to health to throw away remains like this."

County trading standards officer Nigel Snape said: "There are important welfare issues here. No one knows where or how this animal was slaughtered.

"Also carcasses should not be moved about without the proper licence. Strict foot-and-mouth precautions are still in force.

"We will be in touch with the police to find out more," he added.