The decomposing body of a man was pulled from under a bridge after workmen saw it trapped between punts.

Detectives made the grisly find at Oxford's Magdalen Bridge while colleagues scoured the scene for clues to his death. They discovered a length of cord dangling from the top of the bridge into the murky water below, and officers believe it was used by the man to hang himself.

A post mortem examination was due to take place to determine the exact cause of death.

The body was found floating on the surface of the River Thames yesterday morning and the police were immediately despatched to the scene to investigate. Police immediately sealed off the scene, next to the tranquil Botanic Gardens off High Street, Oxford, and sent in a team of divers from the Underwater Search Unit to recover the body.

Scene of Crime officers also scoured the area and took detailed photographs in case the death turned out to be suspicious.

They have now ruled out foul play, but the precise cause of the death remains unknown. The length of cord was found soon after the body was discovered.

The identity of the body has not been released but he was said by police to be in his 30s and casually dressed. Detectives are now trying to establish more details about him and find out exactly how he died. The man's family are also being traced.

Police spokesman Duncan McGraw said officers were not treating the death as suspicious and were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Story date: Saturday 04 September

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