Police are trying to piece together the movements of a man who was found dead in a car six hours after it was believed to have been involved in an accident.

The body of the man, 20, was found in a white Peugeot 106 in Yateley, at 8am, several hours after the accident in the early hours.

A Hampshire police spokesman appealed for witnesses and added: ''It is thought that the car was involved in a road traffic incident at about 2am, in Cricket Hill Lane, on the junction with Carrick Road. Next of kin have been informed.''

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information, is asked to call Whitchurch Roads Policing on 101, quoting Operation College.

A Hampshire police spokeswoman said that the accident was believed to have happened at about 2am as they received information from a member of the public who had heard a loud bang at around this time.

The report was received after the car was found in the morning, the spokeswoman added.

She said: ''The person who reported it advised that they had heard a loud noise at about 2am which is why it is believed the incident happened at that time and we are appealing for anyone with information to call police.''