DETECTIVES launched a major investigation today after a 30-year-old man was found hanging from a basketball pole in an East Lancashire park.

Police called to Walverden Park, Brunswick Street, Nelson, just after 2am, said the death was being treated as suspicious.

They were trying to trace an anonymous caller who dialled 999 and appealed for anyone with any information to contact them.

Ambulance crew were called to the scene but said Andrew Forrester was dead when they arrived.

A police spokesman confirmed a man was found hanging from a nylon rope attached to a "basketball goal post" in a court in the park.

The park is divided into two sections including a woodland area next to a basketball court and children's play area.

Popular with dog walkers and bounded by terraced houses, the park remained open today. No part of it was cordoned off.

Residents in nearby Day Street, Fern Bank and Park Drive said they were unaware of the incident.

Anyone with information should call 01282 425001.