POLICE have said they are treating the death of an elderly man, whose body was found beside a road, as “unexplained”.A member of the public made the gruesome find in the centre of Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, shortly after 12.

POLICE have said they are treating the death of an elderly man, whose body was found beside a road, as “unexplained”.

A member of the public made the gruesome find in the centre of Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, shortly after 12.30pm yesterday .

Residents in the close-knit community last night spoke of their shock at the news - although preliminary police investigations indicated that the death was not thought to be suspicious.

A section of the busy A143 and the B1111 was closed off after the man's body was discovered on the verge at the crossroads of Bury Road and Duke Street.

One resident, who lives opposite the scene, said: “I saw two ambulances and lots of flashing lights from emergency vehicles. I then saw a body lying in the grass and police carrying out some form of forensic tests - at one stage I thought it might have been a murder.

“It is all a bit of a mystery and certainly a tragedy whatever happened - it was a strange scene to see outside your window.”

Officers carried out door-to-door inquiries in the area while police last night appealed for any witnesses to contact them.

One villager, who did not want to be named, said: “Some officers came to my house and asked if I knew anything or if I knew the man, but I told them I had no idea who he was.

“This is a horrible thing to have happen virtually on your doorstep and especially in such a lovely and quiet village.”

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: “Police were called to the scene shortly after 12.30pm by a member of the public who reported seeing a person laying on the verge.

“At this time, police are treating the death as unexplained. However, preliminary investigations have indicated that the death is not suspicious and the roads have now been reopened.

“The coroner has been informed and a post mortem will take place at a date and time yet to be decided.”

Anyone with information should contact investigating officer Pc Clare Mowson on 01473 613500.