POLICE have virtually ruled out foul play after the discovery of a man's body in a stream at a Haslingden caravan park.

Officers launched an investigation following the gruesome find at Holden Mill at about 4pm on Monday.

The body was found by a man out walking his dog.

Police are now working on the premise the 36-year-old - whose identity has not been released by officers - drowned in the brook. There were no obvious signs of injury on the body.

Detectives are waiting for the results of a post mortem examination and forensic tests to confirm the exact cause of death.

The man, who has not been named, was a resident at the Grane Road site but had not been seen since the early hours of Sunday morning.

Det Insp Dermot Horrigan, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We are still waiting for formal identification of the body, but we have carried out a post mortem examination at it appears that there are no suspicious circumstances. We believe the man, who lived at the caravan site, may have drowned."

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the man between Sunday and the discovery of his body on Monday to call them on 01282 425001.