The body of an elderly man was found in a Great Barr canal today.

Police went to the Tame Valley Canal at Newton Road at 8am today. It is believed a member of the public found the body near to the canal bridge on Newton Road.

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Pav Shergill said: “We were called to reports of a body being found by a member of the public at 8am today. Police and ambulance crews were this morning at the scene.

“We are treating this death as suspicious at this stage.”

A police cordon remained at the scene from the Newton Road to the canal towpath today.