A BODY has been recovered from a canal in a local beauty spot popular with walkers.

Emergency services were called to the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal, off Bury Road, on the border of Bury and Radcliffe this morning.

Police said they were called to the scene at 8.30am after being alerted by a man, who saw the body in the water.

Firefighters assisted police in recovering the body from the water. Forensics teams were also on the scene as investigations got under way into the circumstances.

The man is thought to be in his late 40s.

A police spokesman confirmed a body was recovered from the canal.

He said: “Enquiries are on-going to identify the deceased.

“There are no suspicious circumstances at this time.”

Frank Shenton, aged 62, said he saw police activity as he went for his morning walk.

He said: “I go down there for a walk for a bit of exercise.

“This morning there was a police officer there blocking off the road, so I walked round and saw the police.

“I walked on the bridge and there was a car parked there and cars do not park there.”

Writing on the I Grew up in Radcliffe Facebook page, June Ratcliffe stated: “Just walked the dogs been told man's body found in canal early this am.”