THE body of a man discovered in a marina has been identified by police.

The heavily-tattooed man is 30 and originally from the Lancashire area.

But police say he was staying with friends in Hartlepool before tragedy struck late on Wednesday night.

Members of the public alerted emergency services at about 11.30pm after they saw a body face-down in Hartlepool Marina.

Police will not name the victim until his relatives have been informed.

Paramedics and coastguard officials attended the scene, near the Old West Quay pub.

Two officers rowed out to the man and pulled him to the shore.

They tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead a short time later at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

An investigation has been launched and a post-mortem examination was due to be carried out yesterday.

Door-to-door inquiries have been carried out in the area, but officers are anxious to speak to witnesses, who are asked to call (01642) 302126.