INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into the death of a young Hampshire man in his home.

The 26-year-old was found dead at the house in Titchfield Common yesterday.

Scenes of crime officers in white boiler suits spent several hours inside the large detached house, in Oriel Drive, examining the scene.

The body of the man, who has not yet been formally identified but was named locally as Alan Cotty, was removed from the house yesterday lunchtime and taken away for a post-mortem.

A police spokesman said the man is expected to be formally identified within the next couple of days, after his next of kin have been informed.

The spokesman said: “Investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of death and further details are not being released at this stage.”

He added: “It is too early to say if the death is suspicious. We have to establish the cause of death before we know if it is suspicious or not.”

No arrests have been made.

Neighbours described the young couple who live in the house in question as sociable and happy, and named them as Alan Cotty and his partner Claire.

David De Ste Croix, 29, who lives in Oriel Drive, said: “They have been there for a couple of years.

“The police knocked on my door first thing this morning and asked if I had heard anything at about 4am, but I hadn’t. They are a lovely couple, always friendly and smiling.”

Patrick and Margaret Sharkey, who live opposite, were also visited by police early in the morning and asked if they had heard anything at about 4am.

Margaret said: “They are really nice people. We talk to them a lot and have a joke.

It’s very sad whatever has happened. We are very fond of them.

“We call him Ronaldo because he looks like the footballer.”