Detectives investigating the incident have also released a CCTV image of Alexander Lynch as as part of their latest appeal.

Officers are now keen to trace a man who called the fire service around the time Mr Lynch, who is from the Wrexham area, died in the canal near Ducie Street and Dale Street.

Police were called to the scene at 2am on Friday, October 3, after reports a man was in the water. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen Mr Lynch, known to friends as Jimmy or Sandy, in the hours leading to his death.

At 5.10pm on Thursday, October 2, Mr Lynch was caught on CCTV at Stockport railway station. It is believed he then travelled into Manchester but there are no further confirmed sightings of Mr Lynch until he died at 2am.

Around that time a man contacted the fire service from a phone box on Ducie Street and officers are keen to speak to this man as he may have vital information.

It is also known that Mr Lynch changed his clothes at some point between 5.10pm and 2am as he was dressed differently to the clothes he had on in the CCTV pictures.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have any further information about this.

Det Supt Julian Ross from GMP's Serious Crime Division, said: "There is a large part of Jimmy's evening we have not been able to account for and it is important we find out what happened to him during this time if we are to establish how he came to be in the water.

"I understand this area is sometimes used by men who are looking for sex with other men and there may be reluctance from potential witnesses to come forward, but I would like to reassure these people that we will treat any information we receive with sensitivity."

Anyone with information can contact the major incident room on 0161 856 4711. Anonymous calls can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

- CCTV footage shows Alexander Lynch at Stockport train station on Thursday October 2. Provided by Greater Manchester Police.