THE body of a woman has been found inside a suitcase dumped in a roadside hedge near York.

The large suitcase was removed from the country road near Askham Richard and taken unopened to York District Hospital mortuary.

When it was opened this afternoon, experts made the grim discovery of a woman's body within.

A post mortem examination was being conducted this afternoon by a Home Office pathologist at the hospital.

The country road, linking Askham Richard to Bilbrough and close to the A64, remained sealed off this afternoon.

The dramatic events unfolded after a member of the public found the case late yesterday afternoon.

Members of a forensic team, including the pathologist, were on the scene of the discovery this morning.

A spokesman said the area close to the A64 had been sealed off purely for evidential purposes, and there was no safety risk.

"We wanted to take a look at this suspicious item under daylight conditions," he said.

A white tent was erected on the road and experts could be seen examining the roadside and the verges on either side.

The pathologist left the scene at just before 11am, declining to reveal any details of his examination.

The rest of the forensic team also departed the scene, but the road remained sealed off with officers guarding the site where the tent remained.

Villagers in quiet Askham Richard were shocked and baffled at the events just outside the village.

"This sort of thing never happens around here," said a female resident, who did not wish to be named.

"I can't believe that this is happening so close to our homes, and I hope that whatever it is, it is not too gruesome.

"The police are keeping us totally in the dark about what is going on, and it is causing chaos around the village with the road closed."

Ian Booth, manager of the nearby Buckles Inn, said the road closure had inconvenienced both customers and staff.

He said customers from York who wanted to get to the pub and did not know local roads well would have to go all the way to Tadcaster and come back along the A64 to reach the Buckles.

He said staff had asked police why the road had been closed, but had been told nothing, although there were rumours of a suspect package being found in a hedge.

Updated: 12:58 Monday, November 19, 2001