A man’s body has been discovered at a landfill site in Accrington this morning.

Workman spotted the body as a wagon was being emptied at the waste disposal and landfill site in Whinney Hill Road at 8.50am.

Police are investigating how the man ended up in the back of the vehicle and said his death was being treated as “unexplained”.

They said one line of inquiry was whether he may have been scavenging at another East Lancashire disposal site before he died.

When the body was discovered, detectives closed a waste disposal site on Widow Hill Road in Burnley as part of the investigation.

Both tips were closed to the general public with police officers and council workers stationed at the entrances.

Neighbouring councils confirmed disposal sites in Colne and Blackburn with Darwen were also closed.

A police spokesman tonight said the results of a first post-mortem examination had proved inconclusive.

He added there “were no obvious signs of a violent attack”.

Crime scene investigators were seen photographing the area at Whinney Hill as part of their investigation and only marked and unmarked police vehicles were allowed access into the site.

By early afternoon, more than 60 car and trucks had been turned away from the waste disposal and recycling centre in Burnley.

As well as a cordon from the gate, police also taped off the area containing individual skips where people can leave household waste.

The tips, located in secluded areas away from residential premises, are open from 8am to 7pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Lancashire County Council said it was cooperating with the investigation.

Detective Superintendent Neil Esseen, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are still in the early stages of this investigation, but we are already following up a number of lines of enquiry.

“If anybody is missing a friend or relative or has any information as to who this man could be then we would be very keen to hear from them.

“I would also like to speak with anybody who may have noticed any recent suspicious activity near to the waste disposal site on Widow Hill Road in Burnley or indeed the landfill site in Whinney Hill Road in Accrington.

“The smallest amount of information could allow us to progress this investigation and I would urge people to come forward.”

Anybody with any information is asked to call police on 0845 125 3545 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.