South Wales Police investigating the discovery of human remains in the Hirwaun area in January 2006 has identified them as being a missing person from 27 years ago.

The remains were discovered by a member of the public on 27th January this year and required extensive forensic examination in order to determine their age and origin.

Officers examined missing person records and carried out examination of the scene which pointed them towards 68-year-old Iris Brick, who disappeared from her home in Graig, Rhondda, on December 16,1979.

Her family were made aware of this development at an early stage and a DNA profile was obtained from her son which was used to compare against a partial profile from one of the bones discovered off the roadside near Llwydcoed.

The scientific and investigative evidence has now been presented to HM Coroner and an inquest into Mrs Brick's death has been opened today.

Detective Inspector Paul Hurley said: "The evidence presented to the coroner is sufficient for a death certificate for Mrs Brick to be issued and allow the family to bring closure to these tragic events after so many years.

"Traditional policing methods, such as checking the missing person database and making local enquiries, alongside forensic techniques have been used to bring this investigation to a conclusion.

"We are pleased that the family can now look forward after not knowing for so many years what happened to their loved one. The remains will be released to the family so they can make arrangements for a funeral. Our thoughts are with them at this time."