DETECTIVES have launched an appeal for information after the body of a Kidderminster man was found in a canal.

Formal identification of the man has now taken place and police have confirmed it is 72-year-old Albert Antonio Bartlett, who is also known as Tony Bartlett to friends and family.

Officers discovered the body in the Kidderminster canal near the bridge at the end of Lisle Avenue on the morning of Sunday, June 13, during their search for a man earlier reported missing.

The man was pulled from the water and confirmed dead at the scene.

Detective Sergeant Craig Tennant said: “We are treating Mr Bartlett’s death (who is known as ‘Tony’ to friends and family) as unexplained at this time and our thoughts are with his family at what will be a very sad and upsetting time.

“We would like to hear from anyone who was walking along the canal tow path on Saturday night between the Watermill pub and Stourport between 8.30pm and 11.30pm and may have seen Tony.

“Tony was wearing a black body warmer, beige jumper over a blue shirt, dark blue jeans and was carrying a black and grey rucksack. Tony is a 6 ‘2 tall black man who was wearing a brown trilby hat with a black band around it. We want to hear from anyone who may have seen Tony on the tow path, anyone he was talking to or anyone acting suspiciously.”