A MAN found dead in the street earlier this week, was not murdered say detectives.

Police say they are no longer treating the death of father-of-six Mark Edward Winspear, 39, - found dead at Hartlepool - as suspicious.

Philip Winship, 37, a friend of the dead man, was arrested over his death, questioned and placed on bail. The bail has now been cancelled.

A report is to be sent to the Crown Prosecution Service. Mr Winspear was found dead, outside flats in Inverness Road on Hartlepool's Owton Manor estate early on Monday.

A murder style inquiry was launched after Mr Winship was found to have injuries.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Keith Groves said today: "We have conducted a full and thorough investigation into the death of 39-year-old Mark Winspear, who was found deceased in the early hours of Monday at an address in Inverness Road, Hartlepool.

"We are now of the opinion Mark's death is not suspicious and have cancelled bail on a 37-year-old local man who we initially arrested in connection with the incident.'' He said Mr Winship's family had been kept fully appraised of events.