A MAN’S body has been found in woodland near the former Creams paper mill in Little Lever.

It is believed the body, which was found by a passer-by on Wednesday evening, could be that of cyclist Paul Crompton, who went missing from his home in Radcliffe on Sunday.

Police and paramedics were called to woodland off Boscow Road, Little Lever, just before 7.30pm on Wednesday.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed that a 42- year-old man had died and said there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

Police have passed a file to the coroner.

On the day Mr Crompton was last seen, he was wearing black cycling shorts and a red sweatshirt.

It was thought he could have been in the Bolton area as he was known to ride his bicycle along the canal paths.

Little Lever resident and publican Sean Hornby said: “I think the body may have been discovered by a child. There was a bike nearby.

“A lot of people have been talking about it but we do not know who he is. It is very sad.”

The body was due to be formally identified yesterday evening. Residents expressed sympathy for the man’s family.

One wrote on Facebook: “My thoughts are with the family,”

and others described it as “very sad”.