Police quoted by Italian media say Mayor Giovanni Piscitelli, 52, was shot and wounded and his feet bound with wire. Then his car was set alight.

Reports said Mr Piscitelli had recently acted against some municipal staff and the dispute had been featured on TV.

Police have not yet named any suspects in the case.

Mr Piscitelli's charred body was found next to his car - apparently after he had managed to open a door to escape the flames.

The car was in a mountainous area a few kilometres from Cervino.

The centre-left mayor was elected in 2004.