A MAN who was found dead in the town centre in July has been named locally ahead of his inquest.

Samuel O'Brien's body was discovered at around 4am on July 2 on Southampton Street.

The 31-year-old, of Blandford Road, Whitley, was seen slumped on the pavement in the early hours of the morning, sparking a major police investigation.

The inquest into his death has since been opened, but police indicated his death was not suspicious after closing the road for several hours while a tent was set up.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Glover, who was leading the investigation, said the death was being treated as unexplained and not as a murder investigation.

Emergency services were called to Southampton Street, but O'Brien was declared dead at the scene.

The road was closed for several hours at the junction with Pell Street down to The Oracle.

The date for his inquest has not yet been confirmed.