The death of an elderly man in a Suffolk village is currently being treated as unexplained by police.

Officers were called just before 9am today to reports that the body of man – aged in his 70s – had been found near a bridleway off The Street in Sternfield, near Saxmundham.

Suffolk police says there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and the body has yet to be formally identified.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: “Police were called just before 9am this morning, Friday, December 1, to reports that the body of a man had been found near to a bridleway off The Street in Sternfield.

“The death is currently being treated as unexplained, but there are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

“The body has yet to be formally identified, but is believed to be a man aged in his 70s.

“A police file will now be prepared for the coroner.”

Ambulance crews and first responders were called at 8.58am to reports someone was unconscious and not breathing.

An ambulance spokesman said: “Sadly the patient died at the scene.”