A murder inquiry has been launched after a body was found in a burning house in a leafy cul-de-sac in Birmingham.

Police were called to the modern detached house in Copperbeech Close, Quinton, after firefighters came across the body while fighting a blaze there on Saturday afternoon.

Although the body was badly burnt, police are almost certain it is that of a man.

The Birmingham Mail has learned that the body had been tied up and set alight.

The electoral roll shows a Mark Clarkson was listed as living there alone.

Neighbours in the cul-de-sac, which is near the private Harborne Golf Club and has an average house price of £151,000, spoke of their shock at the gruesome death.

One neighbour said Mr Clarkson was in his mid-40s and used to work for Severn Trent until he was made redundant.

He was divorced but had a girlfriend who was a frequent visitor to the house.

“I was in my living room when the fire engines arrived and I thought it was bad enough the house was burning down, but when I heard they had found a body inside, I couldn’t believe it,” the neighbour said.

“I didn’t really know the man who lived there, I just used to say hello to him in the street.”

Another neighbour said: “This is the last thing you expect in a close like this, it’s normally very quiet and people keep themselves to themselves.”

Firefighters were called to the address at 2.30pm on Saturday and came across the body inside the house while fighting the fire.