THE body of a man has been found in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Rishton.

It is understood a walker spotted the body while passing on the canal bank at around 7am on Tuesday close to Harwood Road.

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A police diving team was called to the scene and the body was retrieved from the water at around 10.05am. Police said the dead man was in his 40s.

Officers remained in the water searching for evidence until around 10.15am.

Inquiries are ongoing to formally identify the man.

Police said there were not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.