THE body of an 18-year-old man was found in a Rossendale street in the early hours of this morning, police have said.

Officers found the man in Kay Street, Rawtenstall at around 3.15am.

An investigation has been launched into how the man, who has yet to be named, died. </>

Police have placed a cordon along Kay Street forcing a number of businesses to close but access to Rawtenstall Cricket Club is still open.

A police spokesman said: "A police patrol came across a man on Kay Street at around 3.15am this morning.

"The ambulance service were called and the man, believed to be 18 years old, was pronounced dead at the sccene.

"The road has been closed and a scene remains in place on Kay Street.

"The death is being treated as unexplained and detectives are investigating to establish what has happened."