A MAN has been found dead in a river in Rossendale.

Police were called to the River Ogden near its confluence with the River Irwell, at Ewood Bridge, Helmshore, about 1.30pm yesterday).

Specialist frogmen were called to pull the body from the water.

Police said the man, who has not been named, was aged between 50 and 60.

Detectives were today still trying to establish why the man came to be in the river. It is believed he drowned.

Police are not releasing any more details of the incident at present.

A police spokesman said: "At 1.30pm police were informed of a male body that was sighted in the River Ogden near its juncture of the River Irwell at Ewood Bridge, Helmshore.

"The body was recovered by the regional underwater search team.

"At this time the circumstances of death is thought to be drowning and officers are investigating how the body came to be in the river.

"At this stage the man has not been identified.

"At this stage officers are still trying to establish whether the circumstances are suspicious. Presently we are not committing either way."