A PROBE was continuing today to establish the identity of a suspected burglar whose body was found in the roof space above a pharmacy.

It is believed the man had removed roof tiles to get into the building before becoming stuck above Rowlands Pharmacy in High Street, Queensbury.

The body, which is understood to have been there for some weeks, was discovered by shocked members of staff at about 3pm on Thursday.

West Yorkshire Police have refused to comment whether there is any link to missing man Craig Alderson, 44, who was last seen in Queensbury on Friday, January 20, this year.

CCTV images were released by police of Mr Alderson in Chapel Street holding a laser measuring device.

A police spokesman said it could be early next week before the identity of the dead man was established.

“Police are investigating after a body was discovered in the roof space of a shop in High Street, Queensbury, shortly after 3pm on Thursday," he said.

“An investigation is under way and inquiries are ongoing.”

Councillor Paul Cromie (Independent, Queensbury)said he was sad to hear of the man's death.

“But it is a bit of a warning really, not to break into other people’s property. Although, there is nothing you can do about it if someone decides to do it," he said.

“Unfortunately, he lost his life doing so. We don’t know how, whether it is natural causes or as a result of a break-in.”

Rowlands Pharmacy, was due to open at 9am yesterday, but was closed until 9.15am, at which point a police community support officer attended and spoke to staff for about half an hour.

The shop was busy with customers, and while staff said they were unable to discuss the incident, one did mention to a customer that they were “still a bit shaken up”.

A spokesman for the Rowlands Pharmacy group said the company was not commenting as the police investigation was ongoing.

Prince Sabharwal, owner of Alco-Save off-licence and newsagents, also in High Street, said he was made aware of the incident at about 6pm on Thursday.

“People started saying that police had found a body,” he said.

“People were saying that it might be the man who has been missing since January, but no-one knows anything for definite. It was really shocking to hear."