A man's body was found by a member of the public in a Merseyside park this morning.
Police said the "passer-by" made the tragic discovery just after 6am today.
Emergency services including the fire service and police were called to Hesketh Park in Southport .
However a Merseyside Police spokesman confirmed the sad news that a man in his 40s was pronounced dead at the scene.
The park remains partially cordoned off with police tape visible on a pathway through the attraction which includes playgrounds, a huge lake and gardens.
Police are not treating the death a suspicious.
A police spokesman said: "We can confirm officers attended a report of a sudden death in Hesketh Park, Southport this morning.
"A report was received just after 6.15am that the body of a man in his 40s had been found in the park. Emergency services attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene."
Police say they are yet to formally identify the man.
The spokesman added: "Work is ongoing to formally identify the man and inform his next of kin, and the coroner will be informed.
"At this stage the death is not being treated as suspicious."
