THE man whose body was found in a brook in Clitheroe town centre was battered to death after finishing a late shift at work, police revealed today.

The body of Anthony Carl Leecy, 29, of Standen Road, was discovered by a dog-walker in a stretch of Mearley Brook in a field off the Inner Bypass at about 7am yesterday.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Mike Arnold said that Anthony had suffered several injuries to the head "that could not have been caused accidentally."

He added: "We believe Anthony to have been killed with a blunt instrument, such as an iron bar or baseball bat."

Anthony was last seen leaving Thornber's Mill, Greenacre Street, Clitheroe, at 9.55pm on Wednesday, following a 2 to 10pm shift as a cloth inspector.

"It was his custom to go for a drink after work prior to going home. We are anxious to talk to anyone who saw him that night," said Mr Arnold. Police are treating Anthony's death as murder and are 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.

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

The busy Inner Bypass has been sealed off while police and frogmen have conducted a fingertip search of the area.

Mr Arnold said the area was likely to be sealed off for the remainder of today and throughout the night.

The dead man, nicknamed Humphrey since childhood by friends, has been described as a "gentle giant" by shocked neighbours.

The 6ft 4in man was a bingo enthusiast, who would often share his winnings with local children and friends.

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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