Police investigate New Year's Day body at recreation ground

POLICE are investigating after the body of a man was discovered at a recreation ground on New Year’s Day.

Officers and paramedics were called to Gang Warily in Blackfield, Fawley, yesterday morning (Wednesday) after being alerted to concerns of a fatality at the site.

Local residents on social media reported seeing what looked like a body bag at the scene, which was cordoned off.

The emergency services’ activity was apparently near a pond at the site, which is off Newlands Road just south of the oil refinery.

A police spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday: “We were called at 10.26am this morning (1st January) following the discovery of a man’s body at Gang Warily recreation ground in Fawley.

“The death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious at this time. Enquiries remain ongoing.”

Gang Warily, which is run by Fawley Parish Council, was closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and was due to re-open today.

It is the home ground of Blackfield and Langley FC and is a popular spot for youngsters to hang out in the evenings.

There are two fishing lakes there with other facilities including a gym, sports hall and squash courts, plus football pitches, skate parks and bar and function rooms.