A SEVERED ear that was found on a Southampton estate has now been identified as that of a pig.

On Sunday, police cordoned off a green at the junction of Colne Avenue and Blakeney Road in Millbrook. 

This came after a dog walker discovered the ear, reporting the find to police and sparking an investigation. 

READ MORE: Dog walker finding 'severed ear' sparks Southampton police probe

But now, police have confirmed that the ear was that of a pig. 

A police spokesperson said: "We can now confirm that the item was in fact a pig ear, not human.

"Our officers were conducting a thorough investigation while exploring all relevant lines of enquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding the severed ear, including whether any criminal offences had been committed.

"A police cordon remained in place throughout Sunday 20 March and into Monday morning (21 March) while these enquiries took place, including sending the item to be forensically examined. The scene was then stood down."

Daily Echo:

It comes after the cordon was in place for around 24 hours with police remaining on the scene until around lunchtime yesterday. 

Police said at the time: "The object has been sent off for analysis, but initial enquiries suggest it is animal-based.

"As a precaution, a cordon has been put in place to protect the area while we await the results.

"Officers do not believe there to be a wider threat to the public, nor that any criminal offences have been committed."