A youngster made the terrifying discovery while walking his dog on Sunday afternoon in a town around an hour's drive inland from the city of Alicante. The dead man is understood to be a 57-year-old who lived in the town of Pinoso. His body was discovered behind a mound of earth near a park on the outskirts of the town centre.

       On Monday, forensic experts examined the location of the discovery as part of an ongoing probe coordinated by an investigating magistrate.

       Spanish law enforcement agency the Civil Guard is reportedly "keeping an open mind" on the cause of death.

       An autopsy is expected to take place on Tuesday.

       Town mayor Lazaro Azorin confirmed the man was a Pinoso local as he paid tribute to the deceased.

       Mr Azorin told local newspaper Informacion: “The dead man had lived in Pinoso for many years and was a very well-known and nice man who went everywhere on a bicycle.”

       The Civil Guard is not expected to reveal further details of the death and subsequent investigation until the post-mortem has been concluded.

       In Spain, autopsy results are normally sent straight to an investigating judge as opposed to being made public.

       The town of Pinoso is located in the mountainous countryside, close to the borders of Alicante and Murcia.

       It is best known for the production of wines, rock salt and marble.

       Pinoso is relatively small, with a population of just 7,500.

       The town's name from the pine trees that grow on the mountains around the town.

       Its official languages are Spanish and Valencian.