POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a body was found yesterday morning on a canal towpath in Banbury.

A member of the public found the body of a woman, aged in her thirties, in the town centre near Castle Quay shopping centre at around 5.35am.

The woman was found on the towpath near the bridge which goes across the canal on Concorde Avenue, adjacent to the bus station and Debenhams store.

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Thames Valley Police said they are currently treating the death as 'unexplained' and wanted to hear from anyone who was in the area.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Larry Johnson based at Banbury police station, said: “Currently officers are working to establish the circumstances which led to this woman’s death.

“We are therefore appealing for any witnesses in the area prior to 5.35am yesterday morning.

“We would especially like to know if anyone was seen on the bridge above the towpath.

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“We are thoroughly investigating the circumstances of this woman’s death to establish exactly what happened to her.

“If anyone has any information, please call our non-emergency number 101.”

Please contact Thames Valley Police on 101 quoting reference 43190164376 or make a report online.

If you do not wish to speak directly with police, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.