DETECTIVES are investigating after the body of a man was found at a flat in Clayton-le-Moors today.

Police have launched an investigation after discovering the unidentified man, whose death is being treated as 'unexplained', at a flat in Rutland Close.

Officers attended the scene at 1.30pm after receiving a call from a concerned person who had not seen the occupants for some time.

They found the body of a man inside a room and the scene was cordoned off with police tape while forensic teams studied the home for evidence for several hours.

Senior officers from the Force Major Investigation Team (FMIT)arrived at around 5.45pm.

East Lancashire's FMIT chief Detective Superintendent Neil Hunter said: “We are looking at trying to get to the bottom of what, at this moment in time, is an unexplained death.

“We have not been in the position of identifying who the person is yet.

“We know who the property is tenanted to and we're in the process of trying to find that person now, if the deceased isn't that person.

"It appears the body has been there for some time.

"The cause of death is still unknown.”

Neighbours gathered outside on the street said a couple had lived at the flat.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “They have not been here long. They kept themselves to themselves.”

Another neighbour added: “You have to remember this is somebody's son, somebody's loved one, and they will have a family.”

A Lancashire police spokesman said officers were first alerted after they received a call to check on the safety of the occupant around noon.

She said: “When we arrived and forced our way into the address the body of a man was found.”