THE body of a man has been found in a Burnley house after concerned friends raised the alarm.

The man, believed to be in 40s, was found by police who broke into the property in Harold Street, shortly after 2pm yesterday.

Neighbours became concerned for the man, named locally as ‘Neal’, after he had not been seen for more than three weeks.

Worried friends taped a note to his door which read: “Neal, call at butchers, let us know you are OK.”

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “The butcher had told me he had not seen Neal for a couple of days about two weeks ago. He was very concerned.

“It was strange not to see Neal as he would usually walk his two dogs twice a day around the block.

“I was told he had complained of not being very well the last time he was seen.

“Neal was a lovely man. He would always smile and say hello.”

The neighbour added that the dead man “had lived for his two dogs.”

Police said they are not treating the death as suspicious.

A spokesman said: “Officers were called to Harold Street, in Burnley after concerns grew for a man who lived there.

“Officers forced their way in to the property and discovered the body of a man.

“They also removed two dogs from the property. We are not treating the death as suspicious and a post mortem examination will now be carried out.

“A file has also been passed to the coroner.”