Body recovered from Ribble Estuary, near Southport

The discovery was reported to police shortly after 2.35pm on Friday (18 January 2019) and search teams were sent to the scene.

The area was cordoned off whilst a forensic recovery was carried out.

The body is yet to be formally identified and the death is being treated as unexplained.

A post mortem examination will take place to establish the cause of death and enquiries will be ongoing to establish the identity of person and to ensure the next of kin are informed.