Body discovered in country lane

Detectives have appealed for information after a body was found down a country lane.

Essex Police said the deceased, a man in his 30s, was discovered in Lincolns Lane, in Pilgrims Hatch near Brentwood, on Wednesday morning.

"I would like to reassure the community that this is not a murder investigation, but rather an investigation into how, sadly, this man came to be found at the roadside," Det Ch Insp Greg Wood added.

Officers said they wanted information from anyone in the Lincolns Lane and Coxtie Green Road areas between Tuesday evening and 05:45 GMT on Wednesday.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene and a cordon was put up.

"We are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the facts of this case, particularly around the circumstances in which this man died," Det Ch Insp Wood said.

"While I know this incident will be shocking for the community, I would ask those locally to think carefully about anything they may have seen or heard."

He added that doorbell or dashcam footage from anyone in Lincolns Lane "may be key".

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