A police cordon is in place after a body was found near tower blocks in Southend.

Residents reported seeing multiple officers on scene and a sheet on the floor within the large cordon.

The tape stretches round Chiltern flats - part of the Queensway tower blocks - in Southend and has been there since the early hours of this morning.

One woman, who will remain anonymous, told the Echo: "I was walking my son to school and had to tell him it's just a police training thing so he wasn't scared.

"I spoke to a neighbour and she said someone fell from 13th floor and police are still there with the body."

Senior officers are believed to be attending the scene.

Essex Police have since confirmed the man's death is not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesman for the force said: "We were called to concerns for the welfare of a man at an address in Coleman Street, Southend at around 7.50am on Friday, May 3.

"Sadly, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."