Body found in burnt-out car

The fire-damaged Subaru station-wagon located yesterday at Dunlops Road, near Loburn. Supplied photo.

A body has been found inside a badly burnt out car in north Canterbury.

The grisly discovery was made by a group of four-wheel drive enthusiasts in a shingled area at the southern end of Dunlops Rd near Loburn, police said.

"The vehicle has been very badly burnt, as has the body, which was located in the driver's seat of the car," Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer said.

The identity of the body had yet to be confirmed but the death was being treated as suspicious.

The area is known for off-road and four-wheel drivers and police appealed for information about sightings of the car, a 1989 silver Subaru station wagon between Thursday afternoon and Sunday.

"It is possible that people using the four-wheel drive tracks in the area may have seen the burnt-out car over the past few days and we urge them to contact police as soon as possible," Mr Archer said.

A scene examination was underway and the body would be removed this afternoon.

- Herald Online