A man has died at Gibbs Hill Lighthouse in Southampton.

Officers responded to an incident at the facility at about 12.15pm, and the hilltop area surrounding the lighthouse was cordoned off.

Martin Weekes, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, confirmed that it involved “the sudden death of a 36-year-old man”.

He said the scene was processed and reopened at about 3.15pm.

Mr Weekes said an investigation into the circumstances was continuing.

He called for witnesses or members of the public with information to contact Pc John Outerbridge by calling 211, or e-mailing jrouterbridge@bps.bm.

Police declined to provide further details.

The lighthouse, which is 117ft high, is listed as open during the winter, with the exception of February.

A previous sudden death at the landmark came in December 2015 when a 72-year-old man fell over the top railing.

The cast-iron lighthouse, one of the first of its kind in the world, was built in 1844 by the Royal Engineers.

It is a major tourist attraction as well as continuing to be used by passing ships as a navigation aid.

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