Two men have appeared in court charged with murder after a torso was discovered in a nature reserve.

Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski, 68, and Marcin Majerkiewicz, 42, appeared in the dock and followed proceedings with the help of Polish translators for the three-minute hearing at Tameside Magistrates’ Court in Greater Manchester.

Dressed in grey prison-issue tracksuits, they spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth.

The court clerk read out the charge that they are accused of the murder of a “person unknown” between March 25 and April 2.

Police are in touch with the family of the deceased but formal identification has yet to take place.

Gareth Hughes, prosecuting, said the murder charge could only be dealt with at a higher court.

Chairman of the bench Trevor Hulmes told the defendants: “You will be remanded into custody and be produced at the crown court at Manchester Crown Square at 9.30am tomorrow.”

The defendants, who lived in Worsley Road, Eccles, were charged earlier on Monday as more human remains were discovered in the investigation into the body part found in Salford earlier this month.

A torso – consisting of the bottom of the back, buttocks and thigh – was found in clear plastic by a passer-by at Kersal Dale Wetlands in Salford on April 4.

Remains were found at two more locations over the weekend and on Monday morning police said there had been a further discovery in an alleyway close to railway lines off Worsley Road.

The force said remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested but officers are confident they belong to the same victim.

Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks.

“It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.

“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news.

“They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.

“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.

“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and inquiries continue.

“Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.

“We will continue following every line of inquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.

“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their co-operation throughout this investigation.

“I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”