The body of a taxi driver whose cab was abandoned beside a motorway near Rotterdam has been found in woodlands in Germany.

Walkers made the gruesome discovery on Sunday morning near the village of Schalbruch, less than a kilometre over the border from Limburg. Police said he had been stabbed 12 times in the back and chest.

The previous evening his taxi was found abandoned on the A12 at Zevenhuizen. Part of the motorway was closed while police inspected the vehicle after finding traces of blood inside.

A 45-year-old man has been detained in connection with the death of the taxi driver. Police believe he was killed in southern Limburg before his body was taken across the border.