Holiday-ready suitcases from Birmingham were found in a canal in Trafford and no one seems to know how they got there

All packed up and ready to go - but it appears these cases did not make it to their final destination.

Filled with new clothes and toys, they were instead found floating in the Bridgewater Canal at Stretford.

The bags were discovered by passers-by over the weekend.

One - which was black with a red trim and handle - was found on grass near the side of the canal.

They were found over the weekend (Sally Howarth)

It had a Ryanair flight tag with a Birmingham address on it.

According to Sally Howarth, the lady who came across it, the bag was slightly damaged but the clothes inside looked new.

She hopes by sharing the photos she may be able to find the owner of the suitcase.

The cases looked like they'd been packed ready for a holiday (Sally Howarth)

She said: "I saw a shop label on the ground next to the case which is another reason why I thought the clothes were new.

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"I didn't rummage but put the clothes that had fallen out back into the case and zipped it up. 

"There were definitely children's sandals and also toys in there. Plus coat hangers.

"It was a bit damp on the bottom of it but the clothes seemed to mostly be dry and it looked like it had been packed for a holiday trip."

Other cases were seen floating nearby (Emma Mercer)

Several other bags were spotted bobbing in the water nearby by other walkers, and more clothes and toiletries - possibly from the cases - were scattered along the towpath.

Sally has since been and bagged these up.

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There has been much speculation on social media as to how they ended up there - did they fall from a plane, were they dumped, stolen? But as it stands no one really seems to have the answer.

GMP have been informed, and the large black and red case is understood to now be with officers.

On Sunday, the same stretch of canal was taped off for several hours by police.

At first it was believed the cordon was connected to the mystery suitcases, but then it was revealed a Bomb squad called in after magnet fisherman discovers 'suspicious items' in canal by a magnet fisher.

Bomb disposal experts were drafted in, and a controlled explosion carried out on nearby Turn Moss Playing Fields.

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