Homeless man found dead near church after sleeping rough in freezing temperatures

A homeless man has been found dead in a tent near a church, after sleeping rough in freezing temperatures.

The man, named locally as Ben, had been sleeping near St Swithun's Church in Retford, Nottinghamshire.

Nottinghamshire Police said they were made aware of a "sudden death" at 8.40am on Tuesday 27 February. A file will be handed to the coroner.

Scout leader Hazel Newstead, who knew Ben, said she and he husband had come across him a week before his death.

She said he was originally from the south and had moved between Retford, Worksop and Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.