POLICE are today treating as unexplained the death of a 63-year-old man who collapsed while walking his dog on Felixstowe beach.Officers say there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death but the cause will not be known until a post mortem is held.

POLICE are today treating as unexplained the death of a 63-year-old man who collapsed while walking his dog on Felixstowe beach.

Officers say there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death but the cause will not be known until a post mortem is held.

Emergency services were called to the beach near the pier in Sea Road after the body was spotted by a couple out walking.

A police spokeswoman said the body did not appear to have been in the water and the man may just have collapsed while walking his dog on the shore.

A dog was recovered nearby and taken to Felixstowe police station.

The man's body was taken to Ipswich Hospital after being discovered at 11.45am yesterday and the coroner has been informed of the death.

The spokeswoman said: "As is standard procedure, police are treating the death as unexplained, however, at this stage, there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances."

Officers have identified the man – though they have not yet released his name – and are contacting next of kin.

One seafront worker said: "We saw the police arrive and go on to the beach, but didn't really know anything had happened. Later someone said a body had been found.

"People walk their dogs along here all the time – mostly on the prom, but you do get some go on the beach in the autumn and winter when the dogs are allowed."