Head in bag 'likely to be female'

The head was found in a bag on a public footpath at Hawthornvale

A human head found in a shopping bag on a public footpath in Edinburgh is likely to be from a woman, police said.

The remains, which have been described as "mummifed" because they were well preserved, were found by a woman in Hawthornvale, Newhaven, on Wednesday.

Officers said the person could have died between five and 15 years ago. It is thought the bag may have been left in the past week or so.

Forensic tests have been carried out at the scene, which has been cordoned off.

The head was discovered at about 1030 GMT on a footpath that runs alongside Hawthornvale.