Body found in sea at gas fields

A body has been found 21 miles off the coast at Morecambe Bay.

Lancashire Police said the body was discovered at about 1600 BST on Monday close to Calder platform on the Morecambe Bay gas field.

Fleetwood lifeguards recovered the body of the man, who has not yet been identified but is described as white and aged between 25 and 50.

Police have ruled out a link between the body and the tragedy in February, when 23 Chinese cockle pickers died.

Post-mortem examination

"At this stage it is definitely not thought to be connected to the Morecambe Bay tragedy," a spokeswoman said.

She added investigations are continuing as police have no clues as to who the body may be.

The body was taken to the mortuary at the Royal Lancashire Infirmary.

A Home Office pathologist is expected to carry out a post-mortem examination later on Tuesday.