A WOMAN'S body was found in a car in an isolated lane last night prompting police to close off a road during rush hour.

The dead woman was found on the back seat of a people carrier on a track off Burnley Road, Altham.

She is believed to be in her late 40s or early 50s and from the Brierfield area.

Detectives said they were treating the incident as an "unexplained" death at this stage, rather than suspicious.

Police were called at 4pm yesterday by passers by with reports that a car was on fire.

The vehicle was around 10 metres off Burnley Road along an unmade track.

Detective Inspector Pete Broome said: "Obviously because of the nature of the discovery an immediate investigation was launched.

"We are now awaiting the outcome of the post mortem examination before we can take the matter further."

He said that the coroner has been informed.

Burnley Road was closed between The Hare and Hounds pub in Clayton-le-Moors and the Walton Arms in Altham.

The car was found near the Altham Business Park and the Junction Seven Business Park in Clayton.

Staff at the Walton Arms said the traffic situation had been handled well by the police.

Landlord Gary Taylor said: "There was a lot of people around trying to get home and there was confusion because the road was blocked but traffic was moving steadily."