Body found in Christchurch creek

Christchurch police are investigating the discovery of a body in a creek in suburban Shirley this afternoon.

Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Wormald said a group of children discovered the body around 2.30pm and contacted police.

They were playing at the back of St Stephen's Anglican Church at the corner of Emmett Street and Shirley Road when they found the body lying in small creek which runs at the back of the church and under the road.

"We are going through the process to forensically examine the scene with a view to removing the body later this evening," Mr Wormald said.

Police have closed Shirley Road and detours are in place diverting eastbound traffic up Emmett Street.

- NZPA