A MAN found dead in the cellar of an empty Bolton pub has been named by police.

The body of Alan Bennett, aged 47, was discovered by firefighters called to tackle a blaze at the former Church Hotel in Bolton town centre at 3.45am on Saturday.

They came across the man’s body lying on a settee after putting out flames in the building in Moncrieffe Street.

The death is not being treated as suspicious and the fire is not being connected to the death.

Mr Bennett was born in Manchester and lived in Blackpool before moving to Bolton.

A police spokesman said they believed Mr Bennett died around Christmas time and had been living in the derelict pub.

He added: ”It appears that Mr Bennett was living rough in the town centre for the last 12 months.

“It is not believed that he had any family in Bolton but we would ask any next of kin, or anyone who knows his next of kin, to get in touch with us.”

Mr Bennett was last seen by Bolton social services in June. They offered to help him get a place in a Salvation Army hostel, but he declined their offer.

Emergency services had been called to the three-storey pub, where steps leading down to the basement had been set alight. The fire caused extensive damage in that area and filled the rest of the building with smoke.

The body was discovered after fans were brought in to blow the smoke out through windows and doors.

A post-mortem examination will be held this week to establish the cause of Mr Bennett’s death.

Mr Bennett’s next of kin, or anyone who knows his family, are asked to call the Coroner’s Officer, PC Paul Gore, at Bolton CID on 0161 856 5746, or Bolton Coroner’s Office on 01204 338 799.