POLICE are treating the death of a woman whose body was found on a footpath as suspicious.

       The body of a woman, believed to be in her 40s, was discovered near Ashfield Valley Primary School in Rochdale yesterday at around 4.30am.

       2

       The body of a woman was discovered near Ashfield Valley Primary School in Rochdale Credit: MEN Media 2

       Two forensic tents were pictured inside the police cordon Credit: MEN Media

       Cops initially responded to reports of concern for the welfare of a person.

       According to Greater Manchester Police's public portal, detectives are treating her death as suspicious at this stage.

       A statement said: "GMP have launched an investigation into the suspicious death of a female and are appealing for information.

       "At 0430 hours on Monday 17th July 2023, police received a call reporting a female had been found deceased on the pathways behind Ashfield Primary school, New Barn Lane, OL11 1TA.

       Read more News

       DISTURBING FIND Body of woman 'in her 40s' found close to primary school as mystery probed

       FLIGHT HORROR Plane crashes into Isle of Man cliffs as lifeboats rush in to save pilot

       "Greater Manchester Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

       "This includes any witnesses, anyone with knowledge of the incident, CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage in relation to this incident. Information can be provided via the MIPP portal."

       Following the discovery yesterday, police taped off an area of footpath near New Barn Lane for a number of hours, with multiple police vehicles spotted near to the scene.

       Two forensic tents were pictured inside the police cordon, with crime scene investigators seen combing the area for evidence.

       Most read in The Sun

       b0ozy blip Alison and Dermot apologise after This Morning guest 'gets drunk' and swears

       OVER FOR IRIS Brit pensioner, 83, SPLITS from toyboy, 37, after revealing sex life details

       'JEALOUS' EX Husband, 84, shot dead wife who'd 'moved on with new man' in murder-suicide

       'WIRED DIFFERENTLY' Mel Sykes on shock discovery she has Tourette's and other conditions

       Forensic teams could be seen placing yellow markers on the pathway.

       "It's frightening," one neighbour said. "I've never witnessed any incidents in this area and this feels very serious. My thoughts are with the family."

       Another resident said: "The police asked if neighbours had heard anything. An alarm went off and I put my baby back to sleep afterward.

       "I'm really shocked and worried. I've got a 10-year-old daughter who plays around there and I send her down that path on her own to the arcade. It's a popular footpath to the retail park but I'm really scared at the idea of her walking down there now."

       Information can be submitted to the portal. Anyone with information can also contact Greater Manchester Police or Crimestoppers, quoting incident 390 of 17/07/23.