A MAN who was found slumped against a car park wall did not die in suspicious circumstances, police confirmed last night.

A police investigation was launched when a passer-by on his way to work reported seeing a man lying by a retaining wall of the Nunnery Street car park, near the centre of York, at about 7.35am yesterday.

A paramedic confirmed the man was dead and police were called.

Officers erected a tent around the body while the car-park entrances and exits were sealed off, with motorists being asked to park elsewhere.

Officers began a finger-tip search of the area, while a forensic team was also called in to carry out its own examination.

Businessman Neal Guppy, who runs a business opposite the Nunnery Street car park, said: "Police have been buzzing around the site all morning.

"I am not particularly shocked - this sort of thing seems to happen more and more often now."

But last night, a Home Office pathologist carried out a post-mortem examination of the body which established that the man died from natural causes.

Police revealed he was a 51-year-old man from York.

The incident is the second death incident in York city centre in recent months.

Builder Andrew Hickox, from Halifax, was found dead in the Friargate area, in July.

Police believe he was lying in the road when he was hit by a car. No arrest has yet been made.