AN elderly woman has been found dead in a reservoir near Burnley.

Freda Kemp, 76, of Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, was discovered lying face down in the water at Clowbridge Reservoir on the border of Burnley and Rossendale.

The grim discovery was made by a member of the public who reported to police seeing what looked like a body in the water shortly before midday yesterday.

The emergency services were called along with a team of police divers, who brought her from the reservoir.

An investigation has been launched to try and piece together Mrs Kemp's final hours. A police spokesman said there were no suspicious circumstances.

The East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor has been informed and a post mortem examination was due to be carried out today to try and establish the exact cause of death.

Coroner's officer Steve Rothwell said: "At this stage we do not know a great deal about what has happened to this lady.

"She was found face down in the water, but the exact circumstances are unclear at this stage. We will be trying to put everything together over the next couple of days.

"The next of kin have been informed."

Clowbridge Reservoir is situated to the east of the A682 between Burnley and Rawtenstall, next to an area of the Burnley Millennium Forest known as the Dunnockshaw Community Woodland.

The reservoir and surrounding area is popular with water sports enthusiasts, horse riders and walkers.