The police had been there for several hours

A body has been tragically pulled from the Ashton Canal in east Manchester. Emergency services were called to the nearby canal Clayton Lane, in Clayton, at around 11.30am today (October 26).

Several police cars went to the scene, along with the ambulance service and the fire brigade. A large cordon was in place on Clayton Lane with the canal towpath closed.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a body, believed to be that of a man, had been pulled from the canal. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

READ MORE: An arson investigation is underway after two ‘linked’ fires in Greater Manchester

A cordon remained in place until around 2.45pm. A team from the coroner’s office was seen in attendance as a private ambulance arrived at the scene.