POLICE are investigating tonight after the body of a man was discovered at the rear of a boarded up pub.

The dead man, believed to be aged in his 50s, was found at the edge of an overgrown bowling green situated behind the disused Railway pub, at Scholes Lane, Thatto Heath.

Residents who gathered nearby this evening told the Star the body had been discovered by a dog walker.

It is believed police are treating the death as "unexplained" at this stage.

Tonight land surrounding the pub was sealed off while uniformed officers and detectives carried out investigations.

A large police presence is at the scene and officers have been carrying out house to house enquiries.

A police statement read: "Merseyside Police is investigating an unexplained death after the body of a man was discovered on waste ground in St Helens this afternoon (Tuesday, 11 May).

"Officers were called just before 6pm to waste ground near to Scholes Lane after a member of the public walking her dog discovered the body of a man believed to be in his 50s.

"The area has been cordoned off, forensic examinations are taking place and house-to-house enquiries are underway.

"The man's death is currently being treated as unexplained and he is yet to be formally identified.

"A post mortem will take place to establish the cause of death."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 709 6010.