Body found in field

A police investigation has begun after a man's body was found in a field in Cheshire.

A farm worker discovered the body on Thursday afternoon in Preston Brook, near Runcorn, at about 1600 BST.

Cheshire Police said they believe the man's body was lying in the field for several weeks before it was discovered.

The force said it was too early to say whether the man's death is being treated as suspicious.

Post-mortem examination

A spokeswoman said: "The body was found in the field just off junction 11 of the M56 motorway.

"It appears [the body had] lain in the field for a period of several weeks or longer."

The body was removed from the field and police sealed off the area while they examined the scene.

The spokeswoman said: "The cause of death is not currently known. A post-mortem will take place on Friday.

"Inquiries have also begun to identify the deceased."