Police made the grim discovery in Station Road, Easington Colliery, on Tuesday after being alerted by a concerned neighbour.

Officers gained entry to the upstairs flat at around 11.45am and discovered the body of the man, who has not yet been identified, in the front room.

It is believed the body had lain for some time before the discovery.
Inspector Russell Robson, of Peterlee Police, said: "He has obviously been there for quite some time because the body was quite decomposed.

"A member of the public flagged down a patrolling police officer showing concern for the occupant of an address in Station Road.

"The officers have gained entry and found the body of a male in the front room."

The inspector said the police's medical examiner attended the scene and there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the sudden death.

"A crime does not seem to be a concern. There is no damage to the property or disturbance so it looks like somebody, for whatever reason, possibly a medical reason, has passed away."

The officer said that the door to the upstairs flat had been secured from the inside and was the only point of entry.

The man, who is thought to be originally from the south of England, is believed to have been living alone in the flat.

The incident has been passed to the coroner.