A 47-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the death of a man pulled out of the canal in Devizes last night.

Police were called at 8pm to reports of a 45-year-old man in the water near Lock 40 on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Paramedics treated the man after he was pulled out and he was taken to Swindon's Great Western Hospital by air ambulance, but died in the hospital at 10.10pm.

The woman was taken to Melksham Police Station, where she remains in custody.

Detectives would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and may have seen what happened.

Police say they believe the man and woman had been drinking in and around Devizes from 2pm onwards, and during the late afternoon they were seen at the canal at Caen Hill.

Police have informed the man’s next of kin about his death but formal identification has not yet taken place.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Saunders said: “The canal can be very quiet at this time of night between 7pm and 8pm apart from dog walkers, runners and cyclists.

“However, we would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the man and woman by the canal at this time.

“In particular, we would like to speak to a man who was seen walking along the towpath between 7.30pm and 8pm and who was seen waving at another man on a quad bike.

“We believe this person may be a valuablewitness to th e investigation and we would urge him to get in touch.”

If anyone has information, they are asked to call Wiltshire police on 101 or alternatively if you would like to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800555111.