A MAN who was pulled out of Chester canal last week has been formally identified.

Michael Guiney, 46, from Chester, was already dead when Cheshire Police’s underwater search team hauled the body out of the canal on Wednesday, January 14.

Officers were called to the scene under the railway bridge opposite Telford’s Warehouse bar and restaurant after the body was spotted by a member of staff.

Police accessed the section of canal, under St Martin’s Way, from Canal Street and cordoned off the area popular with on-foot commuters and cyclists.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that there are no suspicious circumstances and that HM Coroner for Cheshire has been informed. A post mortem will take place in due course.

An inquest into the man’s death has now been officially opened.