A BODY was discovered in a field in Ayrshire near an 'abandoned' car, police have confirmed.

Officers went to an undisclosed road near Monkton following reports of a Citroen car that had possibly been abandoned at around 11.20pm on Saturday, December 18.

Police said initial investigations failed to locate the registered owner and a missing person inquiry was then launched.

Cops searching for the missing 55-year-old woman discovered a body in a field at around 4.55pm on Sunday, December 19 around one mile from where the car was found. 

Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious and that a report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal. 

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 11.20pm on Saturday, December 18, police were called to a report of a possible abandoned Citroen car found on an unclassified road near to Monkton.

"Officers attended and the initial investigations failed to trace the registered keeper and officers started a missing person enquiry.

"Around 4.55pm on Sunday, December 19, officers searching for the missing 55-year-old woman found a body in a field approximately one mile from where the car was discovered.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report was submitted to the procurator fiscal."