POLICE have confirmed they are not treating the death of a North Yorkshire slaughterman as suspicious, after he was found with head injuries outside the pub where he was staying.

The body of 31-year-old Craig Iveson was discovered on the footpath outside the Royal Oak, in Settle high street, early yesterday morning.

He had been in the area helping with the slaughter of animals condemned because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Police sealed off Main Street to allow a fingertip search to be carried out, while detectives began house-to-house inquiries.

However, once the results of a post-mortem examination, conducted by a Home Office pathologist, were confirmed yesterday afternoon, police announced they were satisfied that Mr Iveson's death was not suspicious.

A report will be submitted to the coroner.

Mr Iveson was a married man and a father-of-four, who lived in Hawes, Wensleydale.

County and district councillor and local businessman John Blackie said the community was stunned by the news.

"It's a huge shock," he said. "He was born and bred in Hawes, where his family are renowned as livestock dealers and farmers. It really is a tragedy, whatever the circumstances, and everyone's sympathy is with the family."

Counsellors were at the town's primary school yesterday, to help both children and staff come to terms with the news.

Details of a funeral service have yet to be confirmed.