A police investigation has been launched following the discovery of a body in a nature reserve.
Two members of the public discovered a man's body in Castle Eden Dene near Peterlee just before 1.30pm on Friday.
Durham Constabulary are asking witnesses or anyone with any relevant information to come forward.
A cause of death is not yet know but a post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on Monday to establish what happened to the individual.
The two passersby discovered the body in the area at the rear of Pasmore's Pavilion, otherwise known as Apollo's Pavillion.
According to the location information provided by the force, the body may have been found close to a residential area.
The pavillion, a large public art work, is close to Oakerside Drive and sits over a seasonal stream which runs through the dene a short walk from behind it.
Castle Eden Dene is a large nature reserve on the outskirts of Peterlee in County Durham.
According to an official website, the reserve covers 221 hectares of land stretches for 3.5 miles.
If you have any information, call 101 quoting incident reference number 188 of May 29 or alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
