Forensic officers investigating the murder of a teenage girl are combing the field where her badly burned body was found. The remains of Zoe Nelson, 17, were discovered near Branchalfield Drive in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, at around 4.20pm on Sunday.

Zoe, from Newmains, was last seen leaving her home at 5pm on Saturday. Her body was found around a mile away from grassland in a wooded area known locally as the Monkey Hill. Police said they are treating her death as murder in light of a post-mortem examination on Monday.

In a statement issued by police, the girl's mother, Marieann, said: "We are absolutely heartbroken at the death of Zoe and devastated by the way in which she died. Zoe was a popular girl and a typical 17-year-old who had plenty of friends and was well-known in the area. She would have been celebrating her 18th birthday in a couple of months and we miss her terribly."

Police said they used a variety of techniques to identify the remains, including the teenager's tattoos. Zoe's boyfriend, a local resident who has not yet been named, has been questioned as a witness.

Residents reported seeing a fire in the area at around 11pm on Saturday night. One neighbour who did not want to be named said: "We are horrified. This is usually a quiet, nice area. This is a nightmare, a horrific nightmare."

Zoe was doing a vehicle body and paint operations (body repair) course at Motherwell College. College principal Hugh Logan said: "Everyone at Motherwell College is shocked to hear this dreadful news. Zoe was a very popular student. Our thoughts are with her family and friends."