Forensic experts descended on Brentford Lock on Tuesday after the discovery of a body in the Grand Union Canal.

Lock-keepers were carrying out routine debris clearing in the water beside a large sluice gate when they found the corpse. The 26-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene and following a postmortem examination yesterday was identified as Mohammed Tallal Ramjhan of West Ealing.

Police were called at 1.07pm on Tuesday and the lock area was cordoned off.

Hounslow CID, a diving team and Met Police attended the scene.

One resident, who lives in a flat overlooking the canal, was on his balcony when events began to unfold. He said: "Lockkeepers were doing their job as normal and I went inside, but when I came back out a few minutes later there were police everywhere."

Bob Chadda, who owns Grounds Café and Wine Bar at Brentford Lock, said: "Police told me it had probably been a few days since the man died and that his body had probably travelled down the canal for some distance."

A forensic tent was erected beside the canal where the body was examined until it was taken away in a van at about 6pm. A spokesman for Hounslow CID said the death was initially treated as suspicious, but, following investigations, this was ruled out.

It is believed the suspicions of foul play were sparked because the man was pulled from the water wearing handcuffs, which turned out to be plastic.

An inquest was opened and adjourned following the postmortem examination at Fulham Mortuary yesterday and the coroner has yet to reveal the cause of death.