THE death of a man whose body was found lying in the front garden of a block of flats is not being treated as suspicious.

Police were alerted to the body outside the property in Sorrel Drive, Eastbourne, at around 2.06pm on Tuesday.

Reporting from the scene, Argus reporter Josh Walton said residents stood in the street in shock as they watched a scene of crime officers in white boiler suits investigate.

A police tent has been set up in the front garden of the semi-detached property and the road has been cordoned off with police tape.  

A resident in the street said that he saw six police cars arrive at the scene before officers started investigating.

The estate where the flat is located is usually quiet according to those living in the area.

Dave Barker, 48, a resident living nearby, said: “It is usually quiet here with friendly people. I am gobsmacked.

”It is the first time I have seen something like this up here.

”I listened to the radio and at about 4pm they talked about it.”

Residents said they heard that a postman had found the body of the man they believe is called “Dave”, before police were alerted.

Mr Barker added: “They said on the radio what happened and I came here. 

“Apparently it was a bloke called Dave.

”He is a friendly man. I am just shocked.

”He wouldn’t harm anyone - just a really nice bloke."

Residents also said a neighbour saw smoke coming from the garden of the property and that the man’s body is believed to have been burned.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "The death of a man whose body was found lying outside a block of flats in Sorrel Drive, Eastbourne, is not being treated as suspicious. 

"The alarm was raised at 2.06pm on Tuesday.

"The man who is aged in his mid-50s has not been formally identified.

"Police are continuing to carry out enquiries today."