Plea for witnesses after man's body found in Shropshire canal lock

The body was found by a member of the public in Grindley Brook, near Whitchurch yesterday.

Police say they are not treating the incident as suspicious at this time, but they are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The man has not yet been formally identified. His age and how long his body had been in the lock have also not yet been revealed.

Following the discovery at about 9.40am yesterday, a police cordon was put in place.

Three police cars, three fire engines and an ambulance were all parked along the side of the road into the village.

Police were directing traffic around the emergency services on the A41, outside the Lockside Stores and Cafe.

Residents in the village have spoken of their shock at the discovery of the body.

"Something very terrible must have happened for all of these cars to be here," said one resident, who did not wish to be named.

"It is awful, and just before Christmas as well."

Kerry Morgan, who works at the Horse and Jockey pub in Grindley Brook, said: "There were tonnes of emergency vehicles here. There were fire engines, police, ambulance and response cars.

"I was on the way in to work and saw all of them on the side of the road."

Councillor Rob Hewson, mayor of Whitchurch, said: "I am shocked by the news.

"My feelings go out to his friends and family. It's a shame tragedy happens, especially at this time of year."

Abbey Hartley, spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said: "Police were called to reports of a body in the Grindley Brook Lock at approximately 9.40am.

"We can confirm the body of a man was discovered and investigations are ongoing. The incident is not being treated as suspicious at this stage."