EMERGENCY services were called to a flat in Boscombe this afternoon after a man was found dead.

The body of the man, aged in his mid-30s, was found at the property in Walpole Road, near the Crescent, at around 1.30pm.

He is thought to have died from natural causes.

A group of people at the scene told the Daily Echo they were friends of the deceased and had gone to look for him after not hearing from him for several days.

They found his body at the flat.

One said: “We just came to check up on him.

“He was a sociable, friendly guy and you never saw him unhappy or without a smile on his face. He cared about people and had all sorts of friends.”

Several Dorset Police vehicles attended the scene and an ambulance was called 2.20pm, but paramedics handed matters over to the officers.

A spokesman for the force confirmed that an “incident” had taken place which was “not suspicious”.

“A male has sadly passed away at some time over the Christmas period,” he said.

“A male in his late 30s was found passed away in his flat. There were no suspicious circumstances.

“It would appear to be of natural causes, but this will not be confirmed until after the post mortem.

“The coroner's officer has been informed.”

The force said it was taking steps to inform next of kin.