POLICE are investigating the death of a man, understood to be in his late 50s, whose body was discovered at home.

Police broke into the house at The Oaklands, Middleton-St-George, near Darlington, on Saturday morning, after neighbours become concerned about his welfare.

The man, who lived alone, had last been seen by villagers the previous evening.

Sergeant Tim Kelly, of Darlington police, said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

He said: "We have visited the scene to make inquiries and to confirm the circumstances of this gentleman's death."

A neighbour described the dead man as a "nice, quiet person who kept himself to himself".

She said: "It really is very sad and the village is shocked."