POLICE were called to Bury Golf Club after a man’s body was found.

A steward working for the golf club, off Blackford Bridge, was walking on the course at 3.45pm on Tuesday when he saw the body in a remote wooded area.

The steward alerted police and paramedics were also called and pronounced the man dead at the scene.

Police believe the body had lain undiscovered at the location for a month and they said it was not in a location where golfers or dog walkers would normally go.

Tests were today being carried out to establish the man’s identity.

However, police said they were no longer actively looking for Philip Christie, aged 47, who had last been seen at 1.30pm on September 1 outside his home in Shepherd Street, Greenmount.

Officers have spoken to Mr Christie’s parents Keith and Patricia about the discovery.

A North West Ambulance spokesman said: “We received a call from the police at 4.02pm on Tuesday asking for assistance.

“Paramedics attended the scene and confirmed that the man was deceased. No further resources required.”

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “A post-mortem will be carried out to formally identify the man and his family will then be informed.”

The fire service assisted with the removal of the man’s body at 7.10pm.