THE body of a man was found in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Police were called to the canal near Asda and the Clifton Pub in Grimshaw Park, Blackburn, at 5.30am.

Officers were searching the towpath and nearby area but the death is not believed to be suspicious.

The man has yet to be identified.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Inspector Craig Kelshaw said: "We were called after reports of a body in the canal.

"I can confirm it is a male that was found.

"It is too early to say how the circumstances of this incident came about.

"Police are currently at the scene."

Grimshaw Park remains open however the stairway down to the canal has been closed off.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The road Grimshaw Park remained open however a set of steps leading down to the canal had been closed off.

Parts of the pavement were also taped off.

Traffic was being directed over the bridge by officers due to police vehicles blocking parts of the road.

A passer-by on his way to work said: “I saw several police cars and vans parked on the bridge.

“They closed off parts of the public paths.

“I saw a body on the canal path with a drape over it.

“It must be absolutely awful for the person’s family.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

The canal runs under Grimshaw Park, which connects Brandy House Brow and Park Road.

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through Blackburn and towards Rishton.

Another passer-by said: “It’s horrible to think someone’s son or father is no longer with them.

“People had been saying something terrible had happened but I didn’t know what it was until I came here.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called at about 5.30am on Wednesday, June 19, to a report of a man’s body in the Leeds Liverpool Canal in the Grimshaw Park area of Blackburn.

“Enquiries are on-going.”