POLICE have issued a statement regarding a body retrieved from a river in a Cheshire town.

A huge emergency service presence was reported along the banks of the River Mersey in Howley yesterday, Sunday, near to Howley Lane and Kingsway Bridge.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cheshire Police and North West Ambulance Service all attended the incident shortly before 11.30am.

This came after reports of a body being spotted in the water – news which was confirmed by firefighters.

Now, Cheshire Police has issued a statement confirming the latest in the investigation.

A force spokesman said: “At 11.25am on Sunday, March 17, officers were called to reports of a body in the River Mersey near Howley Lane, Warrington.

“Officers attended the scene along with crews from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service who retrieved the body from the river.

“At this time, officers are in the early stages of their enquiries and are working to establish the identity of the deceased and the circumstances of their death.”

Speaking yesterday, a fire service spokesman said: “At 11.27am on Sunday, March 17, crews were called to a report of a body in the River Mersey.

“Firefighters from the swift water rescue team entered the water to recover the deceased individual.

“Firefighters from Warrington, Birchwood, Penketh and Lymm fire stations attended.

“The incident has now been handed over to the police.”