Community leaders have spoken of their sorrow at the sudden death of a man in Woodbridge.

The body was discovered in sheltered housing accommodation in the vicinity of Theatre Street at around 6pm on Thursday.

It is not known at this stage how old the man was.

A spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary said officers had not attended the scene.

They said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

It is not known how long the body had been undiscovered.

Woodbridge mayor Eamonn O'Nolan is a first responder and was called to the scene.

Mr O'Nolan said: "I am shocked to think that somebody could be lying in their home for so long and have so little contact with the outside world, right in the centre of town.

"You could not be closer to the Shire Hall."

District councillor for Woodbridge Chris Mapey said: "It's always sad when somebody passes away but it's a sad loss for someone to die on their own.

"It's a sad situation."

Valerie Kersey, 74, who lives close to the flat where the man's body was found, said: "The fire crews came around door-to-door and told us to keep our door and windows shut.

"We saw an ambulance here about 5.45pm and then the next thing we saw was the police cars pulling up.

"I did know the man that lived there - he was the kind of person who kept himself to himself."

Suffolk Fire and Rescue were called to the scene just after 6pm.

Five fire crews were sent to the flat, two from Ipswich, one from Woodbridge, one from Haverhill and one from Orford.

The crews left the scene after 7pm.

Mrs Kersey said: "It's very upsetting for me and everyone living there to think that he could have been in that flat for a long time without anyone knowing.

"If you don't have family nearby it can be a long time before someone looks to find out where you are."