Body of boy, 11, recovered from Rotherham canal

The boy's body was recovered from the canal at about 23:00 BST on Thursday

The body of an 11-year-old boy has been recovered from a canal in Rotherham.

Emergency services were called to the canal, off Stone Row Way, at about 19:00 BST on Thursday after reports of a child going into the water.

His body was found four hours later. South Yorkshire Police said: "The circumstances are under investigation".

A South Yorkshire firefighter had earlier suggested the boy had been involved in "tombstoning".

Stewart Nicholson from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said a joint investigation with police into the circumstances of the boy's death "was in it's early stages".

"I think it is only right and proper that the investigation take its time.," he said.

"We will follow all lines of inquiry and all lines of information."

He added that reports suggested the boy was with other children at the time of the incident, but "they weren't present when we arrived".

Mr Willoughby said he has been campaigning for safety measures along "dangerous watercourses"

Speaking earlier, fire service watch manager Gary Willoughby said the boy was taking part in tombstoning, which involves jumping or diving from height into open water.