A RETIRED builder today spoke of his horror at finding the body of his friend Anthony Leecy in Clitheroe town centre.

The 29-year-old's body was discovered by Ron Porter, of Grafton Street, Clitheroe, in a stretch of Mearley Brook.

Police believe Mr Leecy was battered to death after a late shift at Thornber's Mill, Clitheroe, where he worked as a cloth inspector.

Mr Porter, who was walking his dog, said he found Mr Leecy, of Standen Road, Clitheroe, face down and partly submerged in the brook which runs along the playing field of nearby St Michael and St John's Primary School, shortly after 7am on Thursday.

He said: "At first I thought it was a dummy. You get all sorts of things left in the brook. But then I realised it was for real and ran to call the police."

He said he was deeply shocked when he later heard the body was that of Mr Leecy, whom he knew as "a really nice bloke." Mr Porter said: "I frequently saw him in a town centre cafe. I've known him for years and he wasn't a troublemaker. I'm really shocked."

Police have revealed Mr Leecy suffered head injuries "that could not have been caused accidentally." Detective Superintendent Mike Arnold said: "We believe Anthony was killed with a blunt instrument, such as an iron bar or baseball bat. The extent of his head injuries lead us to believe they could not have been caused accidentally."

Mr Leecy was last seen leaving Thornber's Mill, Greenacre Street, at 9.55pm on Wednesday following a two to ten shift. Police believe he was on his way to a pub for a drink before returning home and want to talk to anyone who saw him. They have been conducting house-to-house inquiries in the Standen Road area where he lived and the vicinity of the Inner Bypass where his body was found.

"Anthony was a well-known, popular lad and there is no apparent reason why anyone would have wanted to attack him," said Mr Arnold.

The busy Inner Bypass has been sealed off while police officers and frogmen have been conducting a fingertip search.

The dead man, nicknamed Humphrey since childhood by friends, has been described as a "gentle giant" by shocked neighbours. The 6ft 4in bingo enthusiast would often share his winnings with local children and friends. Several bouquets of flowers have been left near the spot where his body was found.

Police have set up an incident room at Clitheroe Police Station and anyone with information should ring 01200 443344 or the freephone Crimestoppers number 0800 555111.

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