The body of a missing woman is believed to have been found in a suitcase more than 100 miles from her home, said police.

The remains of Banaz Mahmod Babakir Agha, from Mitcham, south London, were discovered during a search of a property in Birmingham more than three months after her disappearance.

Metropolitan Police officers combed an address in Alexandra Road, in the Handsworth area of the city, and recovered her body.

Scotland Yard would not confirm where the suitcase had been found and said they were not prepared to discuss it further.

Banaz, who was of Kurdish origin, vanished on January 23. She withdrew no money from her bank account following her disappearance, nor did she take a change of clothing or passport with her. The missing persons inquiry rapidly became a murder investigation.

Police said they believed Banaz's disappearance may be linked to a failed arranged marriage.

One line of inquiry was that she may have been murdered in an "honour killing".

A force spokeswoman said: "The body is believed to be that of Banaz Mahmod Babakir Agha, 20, who was last seen at 5.50pm on Monday January 23 in Cricket Green, Mitcham."

A 29-year-old man was charged previously in connection with the investigation and a further eight people arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

The spokeswoman said two of those people had been rearrested and taken into custody at police stations in London.