A MAJOR police operation swung into action in Ipswich today after the discovery of a body on the outskirts of town. Officers and paramedics were called to the traveller's site at West Meadows, near Asda, just after 9am.

A MAJOR police operation swung into action in Ipswich today after the discovery of a body on the outskirts of town.

Officers and paramedics were called to the traveller's site at West Meadows, near Asda, just after 9am.

It was first believed that ambulance crews may be able to help – but in the end they were not able to.

It is not known whether the body is that of a man or woman and it remains unclear how the person died.

A policeman and a traffic warden stood at the entrance of the site today monitoring residents entering and leaving the site. No other members of the press or public where allowed to enter West Meadows.

The police helicopter was also in operation circling over the area, which is located just off the A14 slip road off the Asda roundabout.

The West Meadows site is the only Ipswich site for travellers, set up after a major campaign to find them a permanent home.

The a nine and a half acre site, was built in the 1980s to provide a permanent home for Ipswich gipsies. Facilities include hard standing areas, toilets and running water.

News of the body find spread quickly through the area and The Evening Star was contacted by a reader who asked if we "knew a major police inquiry had begun."

The East Anglian Ambulance Service said later they had been alerted by a mobile telephone call.

The Evening Star understands that the Caravan where the body was found was numbered 2.

The coroner has been informed of the death. Suffolk Police said a full statement would be issued after lunch.