A murder investigation has been launched after the discovery of an elderly woman’s body in a Liverpool park.

Merseyside Police said the body of a woman in her 70s could have been in Stanley Park for “a number of weeks”.

Police were called to the park at around 5.25pm on Friday when the body was discovered in a walled garden.

Following a post-mortem on Saturday, police are working to confirm the woman’s identity.

Det Supt Rachel Wilson said: “We understand that this will be distressing for people and I want the local community to be reassured that we are doing everything to find the person or persons responsible and bring them to justice.

“We have carried out a number of lines of enquiry, including examining any missing-person reports in the Merseyside and the wider area. At this stage we have not been able to identify the woman and would ask for the public’s help by coming forward with any information.

“We know she is a white woman, aged in her 70s, approximately 5ft 2in tall, of small build with strawberry blonde hair. She was found wearing a distinctive cerise pink Nike T-shirt. If you recognise the description of the woman or have any information about who she is, please come forward.

“I would also ask anyone who has been in the park, specifically the area of the walled garden, in recent days or weeks – if you have seen or heard anyone acting suspiciously, please assist our investigation.”

A cordon remains in place in the park, where a mobile police station will operate from Sunday.