OFFICERS investigating the discovery of human remains that were washed up on Warsash beach have said they will not be pursuing the inquiry.

A post-mortem revealed the bones were more than 100 years old and belonged to a girl aged between 17 and 21.

A spokeswoman for Hampshire police said: "Given the age and condition of the remains it has been decided not to pursue the investigation and the matter is now being dealt with by the coroners office."

It is possible the bones had been buried near to the cliff edge some time ago and due to ongoing erosion had fallen into the sea.

Police were alerted to the find by a passer-by who made the discovery on Saturday afternoon.

Initially families of missing people reported in Hampshire were contacted by officers who quickly ruled out any link with recent high profile disappearances.

The bones are now in the care of the Portsmouth Coroners' office.

A spokesman said it had not yet been decided what to do with them although a possibility would be that they would be reburied.