Detectives are expected to reveal more details tomorrow on a body found in Ravensthorpe .

They have still to reveal any details about the identity of the body, which was found close to a canal on Monday .

Forensic tests are still being carried out to try and identify the person who was found in Ravensthorpe and to determine the cause of death.

Police have also declined to say if the death is being treated as suspicious but it is being investigated by officers used to handling serious crime investigations.

It is thought the body may have been at the scene for some time.

Police launched the major inquiry after the shocking discovery by a member of the public.

The body was in a wooded area close to the banks of the River Calder, a few yards from its confluence with the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal.

It is close to the historic Greenwood Lock on the waterway. The canal lock was built by John Smeaton in the latter half of the 18th century and is popular with local walkers.

The area adjoins an industrial estate, but is inaccessible from there due to large fencing, and the only access is along the canal towpath off Low Mill Lane.

Police say it is too early to speculate on how long the body may have been there, and tests will be needed to determine the sex and age, and how the person died.

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The body was discovered about 9.15am on Monday by someone out walking, who alerted police in Dewsbury.

The inquiry is now being led by the West Yorkshire Homicide and Major Enquiry team.

Det Chief Insp Mark Swift said: “Enquiries are at a very early stage to establish the circumstances of how the body came to be there, and the identity of the deceased.”

A stretch of the canal towpath has been sealed off since Monday, and police were planning to take aerial pictures of the scene.

Examiner reporter Phil Booth on how the events unfolded

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They brought in a drone yesterday to fly above the scene and film the location.

Other officers carried out a detailed search of the woodland close to the canal and grassed areas close to the banks.

Low Mill Lane runs off the main Huddersfield Road and gives access to a large number of firms.

One worker said: “Police arrived at the area yesterday and there seems to be more activity this morning. No-one has said what is happening.”

The body was found at the rear of the Arthur Brook Scrapyard on the industrial estate.

Staff there said they had not been informed of the discovery.

Although close to the scene, there is no direct access from the scrapyard to the river bank.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101.