THE discovery of a body at an east Cleveland village is not being treated as suspicious.

Cleveland Police were called to Skinningrove just before 8.10am this morning (Monday, May 5) after the body was spotted on the beach.

Officers are trying to discover how the person came to be found dead at the village and a cordon was put in place and the area closed off this morning while investigations took place.

People were shocked that a body had been discovered, but many had no idea who it was or how the man came to be in Skinningrove.

Fisherman John Samuels said: “Nobody knows what has happened, we haven’t been told anything. When I got here this morning the police were already on the beach and there was a cordon up to keep people away from the area.”

One resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I don’t think it is anyone from the village – I haven’t heard anything anyway. It’s not the first time that a body has been found in the area, but it is still a shock to see a police cordon in our tiny village.”

Investigations are continuing in an attempt to establish the identity of the body.

A spokeswoman said: “Police have still to formally identify the body which was found at Skinningrove this morning and enquiries are continuing, however officers are not currently treating the death as suspicious.”

Anyone with information should call Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.