A STRETCH of the A59 near Clitheroe was shut for almost four hours todday after a body was discovered lying in undergrowth.

The trunk road between Chatburn and Worston was closed from 11.30am until 3pm, while officers removed the body and searched the area.

The road closure caused long tailbacks on the busy stretch, and traffic had to be diverted through nearby villages.

Police had initially been informed of an abandoned silver Toyota Avensis car, which had been parked in Downham Road for several days.

Officers who went to check the vehicle then discovered the body of a male in his 40s.

The man was found in undergrowth at the side of the road, close to the 60ft-high bridge which leads to Downham.

The man is believed to be from the Blackpool area.

Police have not yet released his identity as they are waiting to contact family members.

A post mortem examination is due to be carried out to determine how, and when, the man died.

However, police are not treating his death as suspicious.

Det Insp Andy Hulme said: "Police are making inquiries into the death of a 46-year-old male who was found in undergrowth on a stretch of the A59.

"We want to make sure we have clarified the man's identity before we release any further information."

DI Hulme added that the initial police search had been triggered following a complaint about a car that had been blocking an entrance.

Mandy Paul, who lives near the scene, said: "The traffic was getting quite bad as the officers had to send people down alternative routes.

"A friend of mine said she had seen the silver car parked at the spot for at least three days. It just seemed to have been abandoned."