POLICE are treating as suspicious the death of a man whose body was discovered by a postman in the garden of flats in Ryde yesterday morning.

A post-mortem examination was due to be held yesterday evening to determine the cause of death, although initial reports were that the man - said to be in his 30s - had suffered head injuries.

A postman delivering letters found the body in a garden at the rear of flats in Victoria Street, Ryde, shortly before 10am.

Police quickly cordoned off the area and called in officers from the mainland-based major crime team to head the inquiry, codenamed Operation Old House.

An address in nearby Lind Street was also being guarded by uniform officers as part of the investigation.

Yesterday afternoon, officers were due to conduct a fingertip search of the area and door-to- door equiries were also being made. Close-circuit television footage of the area was also being studied as police appealed for information.

Forensic experts have also been called in to comb the area.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight police spokesman said: "Anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area between 9pm on Tuesday night and 10am on Wednesday, should contact us on 0845 045 4545.

"Until the results of the post mortem are known, then the incident is being treated as unexplained."

Police also asked motorists to avoid Ryde town centre because of traffic delays brought about by the closure of Victoria Street along with Garfield Road and John Street. The dead man has not been named.