A BODY has been found at Dobson Locks at Apperley Bridge.

Police were called at 7.15am to reports of a body being discovered.

A police spokesman said it is believed to be a man. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Enquiries are at a very early stage. At the moment the death is being treated as unexplained," added the spokesman.

A police car and two crime scene investigation vehicles could be seen at the scene this morning.

The lock was taped off until the body was taken away by private ambulance at about 10.30am. The police re-opened the lock at the same time.

Walkers and passers-by spoke of their shock at the discovery.

A woman, who did not wish to be named, and is on a canal holiday in West Yorkshire from the Netherlands, said: "I don't know what has happened but like everybody, I'm shocked."

A man from Eccleshill, who did not wish to be named, said: "I regularly walk up here and I've not seen anything like this before. It's sad."

A woman from Apperley Bridge, who did not wish to be named, was walking her dog near the lock. She said: "It's tragic. We don't know what happened to the person yet."

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