A man in his 20s was found dead in woods in Banstead this morning, police have confirmed.

A Surrey Police spokesman said his body was found in an area of land off Freedown Lane, in Banstead, very close to both High Down and Downview prisons, at 10.30am.

A member of the public reported having discovered the corpse, which was quickly located by police officers.

The man has not yet been formally identified.

The spokesman said the death is being treated as unexplained but, at this stage, there is no indication of any third party involvement.

Both prisons have been contacted about the discovery but refused to comment.

Freedown Lane, an isolated cul-de-sac which runs off Sutton Lane and is close to the boundaries of the prisons, is a narrow track with over-hanging trees on both sides. 

The lane continues as a bridleway until Fairlawn Road, which neighbours Oaks Sports Centre golf course. 

A Surrey Police spokesman said he was not aware of any links to the prisons.

He said: "Officers will of course keep an open mind about any possible links. At the moment there’s not suggestions there are any links. They are carrying out enquiries."

This afternoon, event listings website What’s On in Banstead tweeted that a body had been found.

On its Facebook page, Michelle Quaintrell said: "There has been a dead body found in the woods there this morning.

"Apparently it had been there a while.  Not very nice for whoever found that."

Alison Pinches added: "Oh god, I saw the private ambulance this morning and thought it might be something like that."

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