AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a police marksman was found dead from a gunshot wound in a car on Merseyside.

The body of PC Nick Corless was found in a silver Volkswagen Golf parked in St Helens town centre.

His commanding officer yesterday paid tribute to PC Corless, 36, who had been a serving officer with Greater Manchester Police since November, 2001.

Father-of-one PC Corless, of Farndon Avenue, Sutton Manor, St Helens, is thought to have died from a gunshot wound to the head.

He was a highly-trained firearms officer who worked on security and anti-terrorism duties at Manchester International Airport for five years.

Police were called to Brynn Street, St Helens, at 10.40am last Sunday, after receiving 999 calls from members of the public who heard a gunshot and saw the body in the car.

Neighbours in the terraced street told how they were confined to their homes as police forensic officers carried-out inquiries around the scene.

One resident said: "The police were here for most of the day. It is a terrible tragedy for the man and his family.”

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "On arrival, officers found the body of a 36-year-old man in a car parked on the street.

"Officers are not treating the death as suspicious and the matter has been referred to the coroner."