A MURDER investigation is underway after the body of a man was discovered in a flat in Southbourne.

Police were called to Lacey Court in Stedman Road, near Southbourne Grove, on Monday morning.

Officers confirmed this lunchtime that the man was believed to be from Bournemouth and aged in his 40s.

Formal indentification has still yet to take place and not all of the man's next of kin had been informed.

The man who was arrested was taken into custody in the West Midlands area and is being questioned by Dorset Police.

Residents said they saw dozens of crime scene examiners and detectives at the modern block of nine flats throughout the day and night carrying out enquiries and making house-to-house visits.

Dorset Police said the death is being treated as suspicious and a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Crime scene examiners arrived back at the flats - Lacey Court - to continue their forensic work, while a police officer stood guard inside the entrance.

A police spokesman said yesterday: “Dorset Police is appealing for witnesses and anyone with information regarding this address. We are unable to release any details of the victim as next of kin have not been informed yet. The coroner has been notified.”

One resident said she believed the body had been there for some weeks and is thought to be that of a man aged 45-50 who worked as a taxi driver.

She added: "The body was found yesterday morning. He had been there for four to five weeks. The police cordoned off the flats and were there all day.

"They are coming back to speak to everyone today."

Another resident added: "I just saw lots of police activity yesterday. I wasn't aware that someone had died."

The flats were built around two years ago and are owned by Dave Wells.

One man, who did not wish to be named, said: “I came back at about 6pm and saw police and crime scene examiners in the road. The police were about until around midnight and then arrived again early yesterday morning.

“When I left they had gone and I was surprised to see them back again. They haven’t told us anything about what has happened.”

He added: “I have lived here since 1999 and those flats only went up in the last couple of years. Ever since they have gone up we have had nothing but problems. We quite readily get ambulances and police cars down here.”

West Southbourne Cllr Chris Mayne said he was “shocked” to hear the news.

“I am sad that something like this happened. Unfortunately these things do occur from time to time, even in the best of areas. Southbourne is pretty good for low crime and thankfully nothing major normally happens.”

Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information about the address to call them on 101 quoting incident number 17:147, or anonymously at Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.