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Detectives have revealed a man and a woman are being questioned over a dismembered body found dumped in Leicestershire and Hertfordshire.

The man, 37, and woman, 20, from north London, appeared at Hatfield Remand Court earlier. Magistrates granted police an extra 36 hours to quiz the pair, who were arrested at an address in Southgate. They can be held until late on Friday. Police believe they have now identified the 49-year-old victim of the killing.

Det Supt Andy Shrives, from the the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit , said: "The progress we have made has come about directly through the support of the media and I am extremely grateful to the press.

"In terms of identification, we are making positive steps forward and will be able to confirm the details of the victim once all the next of kin have been informed. We can say at this stage however he is aged 49 and lived in north London."

His head was found in a field in Leicestershire, while his torso, left forearm and legs were found in separate locations in Hertfordshire.