POLICE IN LONDON are appealing for information and witnesses following the discovery of a body in the Regent’s Canal in Hackney.

Officers launched a murder investigation after they found a female torso yesterday afternoon. A 35-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the inquiry and remains in custody at an east London police station.

Scotland Yard says it believes they know the identity of the victim but further forensic tests must be carried out before formal identification can take place. Sky News reports that the body is thought to be that of missing Eastenders actress Gemma McCluskie.

Police were initially contacted about a “suspicious” object floating in the water. Divers recovered the body and additional searches will be carried out.

A post-mortem is due to take place today. An incident room has been set up in Barking and Detective Inspector John Nicholson is leading the investigation.

McCluskie, a 29-year-old actress, has been missing from her home at Bethnal Green since last Thursday. She played Kerry Skinner for more than 30 episodes of the popular English soap opera in 2001.