Investigation launched as body found in garden

An investigation is under way after a man was found dead outside a house in Seaham.

The North East Ambulance Service sent an vehicle and an officer to Marlborough, near to St John’s Church, at 8am yesterday, to reports of an injured man.

A large police presence could then be seen in the street during the day, with a forensics tent erected at the back of a house in a block of homes.

Forensic officers could also be seen carrying out checks at the front of the house, which looks onto a grassed area.

A cordon was expanded as the day went on, with alleys leading to the house and neighbouring properties taped off.

A Durham Constabulary spokesperson said: “Police were called shortly after 8am today to Marlborough, in Seaham, following the discovery of a man’s body.

“Officers are currently treating his death as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing.

“Anyone with any information that could help the investigation should call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 60 of July 1.”

People living close to the scene, which is also near to the former Marlborough Surgery building, said they believed a man had moved into the house on his own around 18 months ago.

One 73-year-old woman who lives in the street said: “When I got up this morning, I saw two firefighters up the street and I saw the back of their truck, and then when I looked out again, I could see the back of an ambulance, so I thought someone must have been ill. A police officer came around and said there’s nothing to be frightened of.”