POLICE were keeping an open mind last night after a man was found dead in his home.

Former jockey Roy Walker, 32, was found dead in an upstairs room at his house on Norby Estate, Thirsk at 2.40pm on Thursday.

A post-mortem examination carried out yesterday was inconclusive and detectives were awaiting the results of further tests to establish the cause of death.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "There was no obvious evidence of an assault. We have an open mind on how Mr Walker met his death and are still trying to piece together his movements in the hours leading up to 2.40pm, when he was found."

The spokesman said the North Yorkshire coroner had been informed of Mr Walker's death.

Police want to trace anyone who spoke to him after 11am yesterday, particularly a woman with long hair who was with Mr Walker near his home at about 2pm.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01723) 509352.

Mr Walker was spared jail last year after admitting burglary, deception and receiving stolen goods at Richmond Magistrates Court. The court heard he slipped into a life of crime after his career as a jockey came to an early end.