POLICE are scaling down their investigation into how a 32-year-old man ended up dead in a river three weeks ago.

But they are remaining open-minded about whether Paul Parkinson, of Park Avenue, Clitheroe, was assaulted or fell.

Since self-employed builder Paul was recovered from the River Blakewater, off King Street, Blackburn, police have conducted an extension inquiry.

They have taken over 80 statements and painstakingly pieced together his movements in town centre pubs through CCTV and witnesses' accounts.

But, no-one has come forward with information for the period after 11pm on Tuesday November 26 when Paul was last seen. Workmen found him dead 13 hours later.

Detective Inspector Neil Hunter said: "We have been unable to establish how he died.

"They are no more lines of inquiry to pursue and we are therefore scaling down the investigation. The matter will be passed to the coroner."