Body of student is found in moat

Mr Shaw's body was found close to Durham Cathedral

The body of a Durham University student has been found near the entrance of the city's Cathedral.

The body of Stephen Shaw, 20, was found shortly before midday on Thursday lying in a dry moat about 20 yards from the Cathedral's north door.

Durham Police said he had a head injury but there was nothing to suggest any suspicious circumstances.

The second year classics student's parents are due to travel to Durham from their home in Staines, Middlesex.

Durham Police said a bag containing cash, a mobile phone, computer keyboard and personal belongings was found near the body.

CCTV footage

They said he could have been lying in the spot for several hours and the head injury could have been caused by a 3ft fall into the moat or a fall from the cathedral building.

A post mortem examination is due to be carried out on Friday.

Detective Sergeant Paul D'eath said officers had studied CCTV footage which showed two people walking in the moat at about 0200 GMT on Thursday.

Four other people were seen near the path leading to the cathedral shortly after 0700 GMT. Two of them were seen to get them a light-coloured vehicle and the other two appeared to be pedestrians.

Mr D'eath said: "Stephen shared a house with other students in Gilesgate and we are talking to all those who knew him asking them to help piece together his movements during Wednesday afternoon, Wednesday evening and the early hours of Thursday.

"Additionally we would like to speak to those people picked up on CCTV cameras."