A FORENSIC expert has revealed the horrific moment in which she uncovered the lower part of a man's body.

On day nine of the murder trial, Birmingham Crown Court heard how a farm worker discovered Michael Kelly's head and upper torso lying in a copse at Grafton Lane, Bidford-on-Avon, on Friday, July 5, last year.

But it was only when scientist Hazel Johnson turned up at the scene that the full grisly details emerged.

"There was a duvet bundle next to the upper part of the body, consisting of a double duvet, double cover and a single cover, and it was tied together by a pair of tracksuit bottoms," she said.

"There was no chance of seeing what was in it until you unwrapped it. When we did this we found the lower part of the body, complete with jeans and trainers."

Another forensic scientist, Adrian Downey, described how they had found what looked like the head of an axe in a burnt-out blue Ford Escort, believed to have been used to move Mr Kelly's body.

"I have not been able to establish exactly what the item is, even though it is in good condition," he said. "It could be an axe."

Asked by Roger Smith QC, defending, what the item was made out of, he added "aluminium alloy".

Mr Smith said: "The axe we have heard about before is made out of wrought iron and heavy. This is not wrought iron?"

"No," added Mr Downey.

Mr Downey also described how the presence of paraffin or something similar had been found in a burnt-out flat in Teme Road, Tolladine, Worcester, where Mr Kelly is believed to have died.

"This suggests to me, and I haven't heard otherwise, that the fire was started deliberately," he said.

"We also found blood in the living room of the flat, and this has been confirmed as that of the deceased."

Gerald Edwards denies murder.

Gary Wood, aged 46, of Lowesmoor, denies perverting the course of justice.

Ashley Shearon is awaiting sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues on Tuesday.