RESIDENTS in a village on the outskirts of Knutsford were given an early morning awakening by police who were called out of Saturday morning after reports of a body being found.

Reports reaching the Guardian on Monday, suggested that up to six police vehicles had attended the scene at Lower Withington close to Sandy Lane, where forensics had been carried out before the removal of the body at around 7.30am.

The reports said police vehicles with their lights flashing were parked on the road.

Initial reports that the find was connected to Pinewood Farm were dismissed by a Cheshire Police spokeswoman who confirmed the find of a man's body.

She said: "At 5.48am on April 25, 2015, police were called to a field by Middlewich Road in Allostock following the report of a body of a 72-year-old local man in a large pond.

"Officers investigated the circumstances and concluded there were no suspicious circumstances. The HSE have been made aware.

"A file is being prepared for the coroner."

A woman the Guardian spoke to at the nearby Crown Inn said there had been reports of the incident but no name had emerged as to who the dead man might have been.

Anyone with further details, please could they contact knutsford@guardiangrp.co.uk.