A post-mortem is set to take place after a man was found dead behind a pub in Crawcrook.
Emergency services were called to the Fox and Hounds pub in the Gateshead village at around 11.30am on Monday, where a man's body was discovered.
An area to the rear of the pub was cordoned off while police were on the scene.
The and has been referred to the coroner in Gateshead.
A post-mortem will take place before the inquest is due to be opened later in the week.
The man has been formally identified but has not been named by police.
One onlooker - who did not wish to be named - said the was being spoken about in the village.
He said: “There was not many [stood around], the odd one or two.
"This is very unusual for around here, it's quite a peaceful place.
"The pub usually has a few people sitting outside, a few coming and going. I don’t think there’s anything untoward here.
"I went down to the other end of the village at lunchtime and this is what everyone’s talking about.”
Several police cars and ambulances remained at the scene for several hours, while a fire engine was also dispatched to the area.
Fred Lloyd, joint owner of Pet Haven on Main Street, which sits opposite the Fox and Hounds, learned of the grim discovery through his customers.
He left his shop briefly before 12pm to walk the dogs, and returned to find a flurry of activity around the pub.
Fred, 50, said: “There’s been a few people knocking about and gawping.
"We found out through our customers. I’ve not had any police in here.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said on Monday: “At this time we do not believe there to be any third party involvement or any suspicious circumstances.”
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