POLICE sealed off a piece of land close to a popular children’s play area in Bournemouth after a body of a man was discovered.

Emergency services attended Pelham’s Park, off Millhams Road, Kinson, shortly after 2pm on Friday.

Dorset Police officers, detectives and paramedics were called to the scene.

One neighbour told the Echo he’d seen a blanket being used to cover up what he believed was a body.

Forensics officers also attended the scene, and a blue forensics tent was erected by the fencing area towards the back of the children’s play area.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Dorset Police was called at 2.21pm on Friday, August 16, to a report of the sudden death of a man aged in his 40s at Pelhams Park in Bournemouth.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious.

"The coroner has been notified and his next of kin have been informed."

Staff at the nearby community centre told the Echo they were unaware of what had taken place, other than that a significant number of emergency services personnel were in the playpark.

One Kinson resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It is always worrying to see something like this in your local neighbourhood.

“I came past an hour ago, around 3pm, and all the police were here.”

Another neighbour described the park as being popular, especially during the summer months, with local children and young families.

Kinson councillor Norman Decent said was "absolutely terrible" to hear of the man's death.

"It is very, very sad, and my condolences go to the man's family," he said.

"Kinson is a very close-knit community, and this will be a real shock to members of the community.

"You wouldn't think about this sort of thing happening here," Cllr Decent added.