AN investigation has been launched after a body was discovered in the canal in Blackburn.

The man was recovered at around lunchtime on Saturday in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal just off Bolton Road near to the Raj Indian restaurant.

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Police are now working to identify the man, but said at this stage they believe there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Detectives are asking anyone who may know the man to come forward.

DI Tim McDermott from Blackburn CID said “' and I am very mindful that this man will have friends and family who need to be informed.

“I have an open mind on whether he is local to Blackburn and how long he has been in the water.

"He could be someone who has travelled to Blackburn from outside the area or the slow flow of the canal from east to west could mean he entered the water somewhere other than Blackburn, perhaps Burnley or even further afield.

“If anyone recognises the description please contact us, even if you are unsure”.

The man is described as, white, approximately in his thirties or forties, around 6ft 3ins tall, of medium to heavy build with a shaven head.

He was wearing a blue fleece hat with three ‘jester’ type tassels on the top, a lightweight waterproof Nike jacket that was two tone in dark and light blue, black Adidas tracksuit bottoms and a black and white striped t-shirt with some buttons at the shoulder.

He also has a tattoo across the back of his shoulders, a tattoo of a woman and some Chinese symbols on his left forearm along with a tribal type tattoo on his inner right forearm.

A spokesman said they received a call from a member of the public just after noon.

Officers then set up a police cordon around the entrance to the canal and across the bridge.

Two fire engines, two ambulance response vehicles and a number of police cars were at the scene with paramedics and firefighters on hand.

Two Lancashire Fire and Rescue divers could be seen entering the water to recover the body.

A crime scene investigation van later arrived at the scene.

The recovery took place as drivers and pedestrians were heading down Bolton Road towards Ewood park to watch the Blackburn Rovers v Birmingham match.

One passer-by, who lived nearby, said: “It has happened quite a few times on this stretch. It is very sad really.”

Another said: “I am just here to visit a friend and then I saw all the police.

“I did not realise what it was for.

“That’s very sad.”

Another walker said: “I didn’t realise what had happened. That is not very nice at all.”

While another added: “It is really tragic. I feel sorry for their family.”

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “At this stage we are focusing on identifying who the male is.

“It is not being treated as suspicious.

“The investigation is ongoing.”

Anyone with information should call 101.