A MURDER probe has been launched after a woman’s body was discovered on a canal barge in West Craven earlier today.

Detectives from Lancashire Police’s major investigation team have begun the inquiry following the discovery of a woman in her 40s on a craft on the Leeds Liverpool Canal, close to the Anchor Inn at Salterforth.

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A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “Police were called at shortly after 8am today to a report of the sudden death of a woman on a canal barge at Salterforth, near to the Anchor Inn.

“The death is currently being treated as unexplained. The woman, believed to be in her late 40s, has not yet been formally identified.

“An inquiry, led by the force major investigation team, has been launched."

Last night a spokesman added: "A 64 year old man who had been arrested on suspicion of murder has been bailed.

"A postmortem examination has proven inconclusive and further tests will now be carried out in order to establish the cause of death. "