POLICE sealed off large areas of Southsea seafront at Portsmouth this morning following the discovery of a man's body.

A passer-by alerted the police at 6.16am after making the discovery while walking across Southsea Common.

All roads around the Common were closed and the hovercraft service connecting to Ryde on the Isle of Wight was cancelled in an effort to protect the scene while investigations were being carried out.

Officers also sealed off a 300-yard cordon around the body, which was found on the Common near to the junction of Duisburg Way and Western Parade.

A police spokesman said a major investigation was under way and advised motorists to avoid the area as a number of roads were closed.

Eyewitnesses described seeing a red blanket covering an object on the Common while an ambulance was reported to be in attendance.

Police officers were also stationed on most of the road junctions in the area directing motorists away from the Esplanade.

Early morning dog-walkers and passing motorists were being questioned by officers at the scene this morning, in a bid to piece together what happened.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: "We are predicting that the roads will remain closed until at least midday and that the hovercraft service will be cancelled for the foreseeable future."