Body of a man found in river close to Worsthorne

Police were called at around 1.15pm on Thursday following reports from a member of the public who said they had found what appeared to be a body in the river close to Hurstwood Hall, on Hurstwood Lane.

The man, who police have said was in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detective Inspector Mick Johnson said: "Officers attended and confirmed that the male was deceased.

"His family have been informed."

The man's body was found in water close to Hurstwood Hall

Residents of Hurstwood Village expressed their shock and sorrow on Friday, as they tried to come to terms with the death of one of their 'neighbours and friends'.

One resident who did not wish to be named, said: "I saw the rescue operation yesterday. It was quite big - three fire engines and a few police cars.

"I've lived around here for about 10 years, and he lived near to here too. It's quite a small community and everybody knows everybody.

"His family must be devastated. We are devastated, we were neighbours and good friends. He was married and had three girls.

"It's really fresh and we are struggling to come to terms with it at the moment."

The body of the man, who police have said was in his 50s, was found on Thursday afternoon

Another resident of the village said the man, who has been named locally as Crispin Limmer, was in the local running club with his wife, and was often seen walking his dog in the area.

The resident said: "He was a quiet person and I believe his family were very close. 

"I saw the ambulance and fire engines. You don't get anything like that round here, just people walking their dogs. You've got to feel for his family, it's such a shock."

A spokesperson for the police said: "We were called at around 1.15pm on April 4 to reports of a sudden death in Worsthorne, Burnley.

"We attended and sadly found the body of a man, in his 50s, in the river close to Hurstwood village.

"His death is not being treated as suspicious."