THE victims of a double murder previously faced charges of involvement in a car crime ring, it emerged yesterday.

Strathclyde Police also confirmed that John Hall, 45, from Carluke, and David McIntosh, 33, of Wishaw, were shot dead. Their bodies were discovered on Wednesday afternoon by members of the public at a disused scrapyard near Larkhall, Lanarkshire.

The Crown Office said Mr Hall had been one of a number of people due to face charges of stealing and selling cars with false registration plates and identification numbers. It is believed Mr McIntosh was one of the others involved in the alleged (pounds) 140,000 crime ring.

The case was due for trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court in April last year but collapsed because of lack of evidence and legal complications over European human rights laws. The accused had denied the charges.

Detectives involved in the murder investigation warned that it was likely to be lengthy because the bodies were disposed of at such a remote spot and the difficulty in obtaining information from underworld sources.

They insisted that they were not pursuing any definite lines of inquiry and could not comment on reports that the two friends had moved into drug dealing and were killed because of outstanding debts.

Yesterday, police searched hedges, grass and mud, and forensic officers examined the former scrapyard.

The officer leading the inquiry, Detective Superintendent John Carnochan, said the men's backgrounds and links with the drugs trade would be examined.

He added: ''There has been a lot of speculation that this is a gangland killing, but that kind of emotive language does not help.

''However, we are looking at these two men's histories and associations to find out if they had any enemies.

''I would urge anyone who has information to come forward. Obviously, given the nature of the crime, people can report anything they know anonymously.

''I am willing to listen to anyone, even those with a criminal background, who have specific information relating to the

murder.''

He said the registration of the car found by the bodies was X468 ABV. It was used by Mr McIntosh.

Mr Hall lived with his wife and two teenage daughters. He also had a 23-year-old son from a previous relationship. Mr McIntosh lived with his partner, Diane.

Both men were unemployed, and police described them as being friends who shared an interest in dog racing.

Police said they were last seen by their families at 6pm on Tuesday when they went out for a social night together.

They were discovered on the ground of a disused yard, the bodies lying close to one

another.