RESIDENTS of a Suffolk community have been left in shock after a man apparently stabbed himself to death in the back garden of his home.Officers were called to Ludbrook Close, in Needham Market, shortly after 6am yesterday, where they found a man fatally wounded and an elderly woman with a head injury.

RESIDENTS of a Suffolk community have been left in shock after a man apparently stabbed himself to death in the back garden of his home.

Officers were called to Ludbrook Close, in Needham Market, shortly after 6am yesterday, where they found a man fatally wounded and an elderly woman with a head injury.

Neighbours said pensioner Florence Weston lived at the bungalow with her son Christopher Carroll, although police were unable to confirm the identity of those involved last night.

It is believed the man found dead in the back garden of the semi-detached bungalow was in his 30s.

A post mortem examination carried out by a Home Office pathologist yesterday afternoon discovered he had died from a stab wound.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious, but are still appealing for people to help them piece together exactly what happened.

Officers say they do not believe the woman's injuries are serious, but she did need hospital treatment.

Last night, police also revealed the Independent Police Complaints Commission was routinely investigating the incident as the dead man had spoken to officers a short time before he died.

A spokesman said: "Earlier, Suffolk Constabulary referred this incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, who have decided to supervise an investigation into the death.

"Any death where there is contact with the police must be referred to the IPCC as a matter of routine.

"In this case, there was verbal contact between the man and police prior to his body being found.

"The investigation will be conducted by Suffolk police, supervised by the IPCC's commissioner for Suffolk, Len Jackson."

Yesterday there were scenes of crime specialists at the house, which was sealed off by police tape.

An ambulance was sent to the scene and paramedics spent almost an hour at the home, giving the injured woman inside first aid for her injuries.

Retired industrial chemist Ray Woolston, lives on the other side of the semi-detached bungalow, said he was woken up last night to the sound of a bang.

Mr Woolston said: "It all started about 5.30am, when I heard a bang. I heard the occasional thump, but that is from doors closing.

"I went to the bathroom about 6am and had a shower and when I came out there was an ambulance and police. There were half a dozen police out there. I'm puzzled about exactly what happened.''

Brian Scott, a 37-year-old manager who lives nearby, said: "It was about five to six this morning when I heard some banging on a nearby door, someone saying 'let me in'.

"About five minutes later I heard a smash and two minutes after that I heard a lady screaming and the police were here. A woman ran out with blood down her white hair, her hair was red.

"The close is normally very, very quiet and nothing goes on. When she came out she said 'it's my son'. It's so absolutely terrible, I was shocked to see this in our town.''

Nearby residents said they believe the woman was from an Irish family and has relatives living locally, including a daughter.

Community leaders spoke last night of people's shock and the sense of tragedy.

Town mayor Ray Darnell said the man's death was tragic and residents' thoughts would now be with the injured woman.

The community's parish priest the Rev Paul Daltry added: "The community will be deeply shocked by this and a lot of support will be needed. This is a very rare occurrence and people need to be reassured.''

Wendy Marchant, one of the town's district councillors, said she believed the woman had been living there for several years.

The police inquiry is being headed by detective superintendent Roy Lambert, who is trying to establish whether an overturned car found on the old A45 between Stowmarket and Needham Market was connected to the incident.

He said yesterday that it was too early to comment in detail and officers are still trying to piece together what happened.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary said: "Officers were contacted just before 6am on Friday following a report that a vehicle had been left in the middle of Stowmarket Road at Badley Hill, Needham Market.

"A man was seen walking away from the vehicle. Shortly afterwards, officers were called to an address in Ludbrook Close, where an elderly woman was found with a head injury. She has been taken to Ipswich Hospital for treatment.

"The body of a man was subsequently found in the rear garden of the premises.

"At this time, it is believed that the injured woman is the mother of the deceased and that the house in Ludbrook Close where the incident occurred is her home address.''

Police are still keen to hear from anyone who saw a man walking along the B1113 towards Needham Market just before 6am yesterday .

The coroner has been informed and an inquest will take place in due course

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Stowmarket CID on 01473 383413