A major investigation has been launched after the body of a man was found inside a burnt out car.

Officers are still trying to identify the man found within the charred remains of a black Mercedes GLE near Greenhall Park, Blantyre.

A post mortem has been carried out and the death is now being treated as suspicious. The deceased man is believed to be under the age of 40.

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Enquires so far have revealed that the car involved was stolen from the Oxgangs Road area of Edinburgh on Thursday January 24.

It was then in the Morningside area of Edinburgh for several days until Monday February 11, when it was near East Kilbride town centre before being found on fire.

Detective Chief Inspector David Scott of the Major Investigation Teams, said: "Enquiries carried out so far indicate the circumstances surrounding the death of the man to be suspicious and we are appealing for the assistance of the public to help with our ongoing investigation.

"We are working to identify the deceased who was found within the car. Enquiries so far suggest the man is likely to be under 40 years of age. The recovery of the man's body and subsequent efforts to identify him are proving challenging given that the car was completely burnt out, however, we have significant forensic testing underway and are hopeful we'll be able to identify him soon.

"We are working closely with officers in the Edinburgh and East Kilbride areas to try to establish the movements of that car however, I would ask anyone who has any information on a car of this type being seen in the areas of Morningside, Edinburgh, East Kilbride and Blantyre, to come forward urgently.

"East Kilbride town centre is usually busy with pedestrians and motorists.

"I would ask people to think back and consider if they saw this car and the occupants within. Any small piece of information could be significant.

"Similarly, I would ask the residents in Morningside, Edinburgh to think back to the days after Thursday 24 January, could you provide any information to police that might help? We need to know where that car was between 24 January and 11 February. Please come forward with any information you might have."