POLICE are investigating after a man was found dead in a car park in Poole.

The 73-year-old local man was discovered near to a parked white Peugeot van in the Tesco Express car park on Ringwood Road.

Dorset Police were called at 2.53pm on Tuesday, December 26, by the ambulance service to reports of a concern for welfare.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage, however, an investigation into the circumstances is underway and police have released a CCTV image of a potential witness.

The coroner has been notified and the man’s next of kin has been informed.

Inspector Simon Perry, of Dorset Police, said: “Although we do not believe that the death is suspicious, we are now making enquiries on behalf of the coroner to establish how the man died.

"It is possible the man may have suffered a medical episode in the hours prior to him being located and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen anything that could assist with this investigation to please contact me.

"In particular, I would like to identify the original male informant who liaised with Tesco prior to the arrival of the emergency services as his details are unknown.

“I am releasing an image of this man in the hope that he or anyone that recognises him can get in touch with Dorset Police. I would like to stress that he is being sought as a possible witness and may have vital information that could help with my enquiries."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55170199202.