POLICE investigating the murder of a man in Cotheridge have made two arrests.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder by police investing the death of Neil Parkinson. The 30-year-old, from Wichenford, was arrested by West Mercia Police this morning.

It has also been revealed a 28 year-old man has been re-arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

The arrests are in connection with the murder of Mr Parkinson, from Clifton-Upon-Teme who was found dead in a burnt out car in Ankerdine Road in Cotheridge on December 12 last year.

Last Friday Mark Chilman appeared at Worcester Crown Court where he pleaded not guilty to the murder and stalking.

During that court appearance Chilman, 51, from the Old Post Office, Pencombe, Bromyard, was formally arraigned by the clerk and entered not guilty pleas to both counts on the indictment.

The second count he denied is stalking involving serious alarm and distress. The charge states that Chilman pursued a course of conduct that amounted to the stalking of Juliet Adcock and caused serious alarm or distress to her and had 'a substantial adverse effect on her day to day activities'.

READ MORE: Man denies Cotheridge murder and stalking after 'threatening suicide' over break-up

The charge states that this involved Chilman sending her 'numerous messages threatening suicide if she refused to resume a relationship' and that he carried out 'observations of her activities and property'. This is alleged to have taken place between June 1 and December 12 last year.

Chilman remains in custody until he is due for his trial at Worcester Crown Court, scheduled for August 2.

Mr Parkinson was pronounced dead at the scene in a layby in the village on the A44 between Bromyard and Worcester. He was found dead in a burnt out BMW.

In a previous statement, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Peters said: “This is clearly a very serious and tragic incident that has seen a man lose his life and our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this sad time.”

At the time police also asked residents for any dashcam or CCTV footage of a black BMW X5 travelling between Stoney Lane in Broadwas to Ankerdine Road between 5pm and midnight on Saturday, December 12.