A major investigation was today launched after an elderly man’s body was found at a Telford home and another body was reported as being spotted in the River Severn.

See also: Pictures: Police investigate body mystery

Police officers were sent to the home in The Nabb, St Georges, at 9.15am today after a call from a concerned member of the public. Half-an-hour later another call was received about the sighting of a body in the river near Cressage.

Officers were this afternoon investigating possible links between the death of the man and the report of the body in the river.

The B4380 between Shrewsbury Road and Eaton Constantine was initially closed but has reopened.

A large part of the river bank was sealed off as divers and officers with sniffer dogs searched the area this afternoon.

Police in Telford confirmed they are investigating the death of the man, believed to be in his late 70s, in St Georges and were liaising with colleagues in Shrewsbury.

The body was found by officers and the address has been sealed off as police work at the scene. Neighbours said two brothers lived at the address and had done for more than 50 years.

They said one brother was believed to be the dead man and police had been looking for his sibling following the discovery.

Debbie Healey, a next-door neighbour for about five years, said: “They were lovely. They were the best neighbours, they really were. They helped to do the garden and look after the house while we were away.”

She said she believed the brothers had lived at the property for more than 50 years.

Detective Inspector Nick Haggitt said: “We are looking for possible links between the discovery of the body on The Nabb and reports of a man being seen in the river at Cressage at around 9.45am this morning, but again I’d like to stress that this investigation remains at a very early stage.”

He said police were not actively looking for anyone else in relation to the unexplained death in St Georges but urged anyone who may have information about unusual behaviour on The Nabb to contact officers.

By Lisa Rowley