WITNESSES have described their “shock” after the body of a man was pulled from a canal.

Police cordoned off a section of Ulverston’s canal on Saturday after a body of man in his eighties was discovered in the water.

Onlookers said police officers, fire crew and and paramedics all attended the scene at Canal Head after being alerted just after 10am.

Officers, who were said to have been at the scene for around two hours, said there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

Chris Moston, who had been fishing in the canal when he saw emergency services, said he was “shaken” by the events he witnessed from across the bank.

He said: “I saw all the emergency services turn up and then they covered up the body and waited for the coroner to turn up.”

A number of people on social media said they wondered what was happening at Canal Head as they drove past on what would have been a busy Christmas shopping day.

Police responded to reports by confirming they found a body in the water, behind Canal Street, after being contacted by members of the public.

Witnesses said divers came to look at the water but did not go in.

Mr Moston, 34, from Lancaster, added: “It’s not something you expect to happen.

“It has taken me back. I was in shock after seeing it all happen.

“I have got no idea how it happened.

"The bit of water where he was is only about 18 inches deep.”

Another man was also by the canal as police arrived to survey the scene.

Philip Chamberlain had been at Canal Head to attend a car boot sale.

The 63 year-old, of Ormsgill, Barrow, said: “It was a shock for me and when I told my wife, she got a bit upset too.

“Ulverston is always a quiet town so it was really unexpected that something like this happened.

“I am shocked by it and our thoughts are now with the man’s family.”

Police said the man’s family had been informed.

Call 101 with information.