A MURDER investigation is underway after a woman's body was pulled from the Grand Union Canal on Christmas Day.

Police were called to Bankside, Southall - a stretch of the canal that borders Hayes - at around 11.40am on Sunday (25) to reports from the public of a dead body in the water.

The woman was identified as 23-year old Ruby Love, from Harrow. Next of kin have been informed.

A 27-year old man was arrested yesterday (27) on suspicion of murder and remains in custody at a north London police station.

A post-mortem held at Uxbridge Mortuary on Monday (26) could not establish a cause of death, and police are still awaiting test results.

The death is being investigated by the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious near the Bankside, Southall, on or before Christmas Day.

Anyone with information should contact the Incident Room on 020 8358 0400.