POLICE are treating the death of a Brierley Hill man as unexplained after the grim discovery of his body in a canal.

The remains of Lee Trevor Jones, aged 44, were discovered just after 7am on Tuesday May 24 in the waterway at Prestwood near Stourton.

Mr Jones had been reported missing from his home in Hill Street, on May 20.

CCTV images show him cycling in Lower High Street, Stourbridge at around 10am the previous day.

Inspector Adrian Scott, from Staffordshire Police, said: “We have established that Mr Jones probably used the canal path to cycle towards the Swindon area of South Staffordshire, where he had arranged to meet a friend at 11am on May 19.

“We are appealing to any witnesses who may have spotted a cyclist along this stretch of canal path between 10am and 11am on May 19 to come forward.

“We are also keen to hear from the male passer-by who alerted British Waterways to Mr Jones’ body in the canal yesterday.”

Mr Jones had dark-coloured hair and was wearing dark-coloured clothing.

The bicycle, described as black in colour with side panniers, was found in the canal, between Newton Bridge and Stourton Lock.

Family liaison officers from Wombourne are working to support Mr Jones’ grieving parents and a report is being prepared for the Staffordshire coroner.

Anyone with information is asked to contact sergeant Jason Bannister at Staffordshire Police, on 0300 123 44 55.