Police in St Catherine have launched a investigation following the discovery of the decomposing body of a woman in the parish on Wednesday.

Reports are that about 11 a.m., passers-by in a section of Hartlands district stumbled upon the body in bushes in the community.

The police were summoned and, on arrival, observed the body, estimated to be about 5 feet 6 inches long, lying on its back in an advanced state of decomposition.