POLICE say a man found dead outside a house in Redcar had died of natural causes.

He was found outside a house in Blakey Close shortly after 5am today.

"Emergency services attended, but unfortunately the man was pronounced dead at the scene," a spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said.

Reports on social media sites stated the man had been stabbed, but police say this is not the case.

This afternoon police release an update on the probe, saying: "A post mortem examination has been carried out and has revealed that the man died from natural causes.

"A file will now be passed to the Coroner."

Forensic and house to house enquiries were carried out to establish the circumstances leading up to the man’s death.

"Police believe he was out walking his two dogs this morning, and would ask anyone who may have seen him in the Micklow Close or Blakey Close area of the Lakes estate to contact them," the spokeswoman said.

"He was wearing a dark jacket, dark trousers and red woolly hat. Anyone with information is asked to contact Redcar and Cleveland CID on the non-emergency number 101."