Liam Smith was a ‘devoted dad, much-loved son, brother, grandson and uncle’ (Picture: MEN Media)

A heartbroken family have paid tribute to a ‘devoted’ father who was found dumped on a street with ‘potentially hazardous’ substances on his body.

Liam Smith, 38, was discovered on a residential street at around 7pm on Thursday in Shevington, a suburb of Wigan, Greater Manchester.

In a brief statement released through the police, his family said: ‘Liam was kind-hearted, funny, the life and soul of the party.

‘He was the most devoted dad, much-loved son, brother, grandson and uncle. He will sorely be missed by all who knew and loved him.’

His family have asked for privacy while they grieve.

No further information about the substances has been released, but the Home Office has carried out a post-mortem examination.

Detective Superintendent Alan Clitherow said it was a ‘challenging set of circumstances’ during a press conference on Friday.

A forensic tent was erected over the body in Shevington (Picture: MEN Media)

Liam’s body was found in a village on the outskirts of Wigan (Picture: MEN Media)

’We are now unpicking exactly what has gone on,’ he said.

‘We don’t know what the substance is. We have done some initial inquiries, we know it’s low risk, so as I mentioned before, anyone directly in contact with the body should seek medical advice if they feel unwell but there’s no wider risk to anyone else.’

The body was found in Kilburn Avenue on rough ground between neighbouring houses which leads to a dirt track and open fields.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact officers.

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Liam Smith was a ‘devoted dad, much-loved son, brother, grandson and uncle’.