A MAN in handcuffs was led away from a Blackburn house today after police found a body in a flat near the town centre.

The dead man - understood to be aged 69 - was discovered after police were called to a flat in Preston New Road near the junction with Montague Street shortly after 8.15am.

Three other people were also led away by police throughout the morning. But Detective Inspector Neil Hunter, who was at the scene, refused to confirm whether there had been any arrests.

Inspector Stuart Bruce said there was no indication of the cause of death and that it was being treated as suspicious.

Neighbours in the area of the property, which contains around eight bedsits, said they had heard disturbances from the house at 9pm and again in the early hours.

One neighbour in Preston New Road said the dead man was known as Jimmy and had beendrinking outside the house yesterday with three other men.

He said there had been frequent disturbances at the house. Another man, who asked not to be named, said: "There are about five people living in that house but they tend to keep themselves to themselves.

"There was some trouble about two months ago when police were called on two separate occasions after a window was smashed." Detective Inspector Neil Hunter said further details were expected to be released later.

He said: "We are looking into the report of a male being found dead at number 133 Preston New Road.

"We are conducting investigations both at the scene and with the occupants of the flats.

"We are doing the normal crime scene investigations.

"Inquiries at this stage are in their infancy and we are still speaking to people who may be able to assist us in investigating this matter.

"The people who occupy the other flats will be a priority line of our inquiries and will be spoken to throughout the day.

"I cannot say whether or not there have been any arrests at this stage.

"Hopefully a post mortem will reveal exactly what the cause of death was with the injured party.

"We have not yet identified or spoken to the man's relatives so will not be releasing his identity at this stage."