South Australian police have ruled out the possibility that the skeletal remains of a child, found near Wynarka, belong to missing British girl Madeleine McCann.

Scotland Yard officers contacted Australian authorities after the remains, believed to be a young girl, were found in a suitcase along with children’s clothing by the side of the Karoonda Highway on July 14.

A Scotland Yard spokesman told The Mirror “we cannot rule it out”, however South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens earlier said there was nothing to indicate a link with the McCann case.

“There is absolutely no evidence at this point in time that the child is Madeleine McCann," he said.

“We’re looking at all opportunities to establish the identity of the child, but at this point in time that is pure speculation."

South Australian police today said the possibility had been conclusively ruled out and UK police had been informed.

Three-year-old McCann disappeared from her bed in a holiday villa in Portugal, eight years ago while her parents ate dinner nearby.

Her case received widespread international media attention and remains one of the most comprehensive missing persons cases in history.

The investigation into her disappearance is ongoing.

South Australian police said the child whose remains they found two weeks ago could have died up to eight years ago and had suffered a “violent and horrible” death.

They have not disclosed any results of the autopsy.

Police also said they believe the girl was aged between two-and-a-half to four, with fair hair.

Earlier this week, police released an image of a distinctive homemade quilt they found with the remains in the hope it would help them identify the little girl.

Detective Superintendent Des Bray said the quilt appeared to be home-made and machine-stitched.

“Someone loved that little girl and either made her, or gave her, that quilt. I would appeal for whoever loved her to get in touch with us,” he said.

Police are still appealing for a man seen in the area about six to eight weeks ago with a dark suitcase to come forward.