A YORK car park was sealed off today after a shocked motorist discovered the body of a middle-aged man.

Police launched a major investigation at the Nunnery Lane car park, on York's Inner Ring Road, after being alerted to the grim discovery at 7.35am.

North Yorkshire police spokesman Tony Lidgate said no cause of death was immediately apparent, and police did not yet know who the man was.

A large blue and white tent was erected around the body, which was discovered lying next to a low retaining wall between the car park and Nunnery Lane.

Officers later carried out a fingertip search around the scene.

The car park's entrance and exit roads were taped off, with motorists who wanted to use it being asked to go elsewhere.

Inspector Glyn Payne, supervising officer at the scene, said: "The body of a male has been found in the car park by a chap going to work this morning.

"The car park will be closed for the foreseeable future, while the evidence is preserved."

A spokeswoman for Tees, East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service said it received a call at 7.31am, reporting that a man, who appeared to be unconscious, had been found at the Nunnery Lane car park.

A Life Cycle paramedic sent to the scene discovered that the man was dead, and this was later confirmed.

Neal Guppy, who runs Guppy Enterprises, opposite the car park, said: "Police have been buzzing around the site all morning. I am not particularly shocked - this sort of thing seems to happen more and more often now."

The incident is the second mysterious death in York city centre in recent months.

Builder Andrew Hickox was found dead in the Friargate area in the summer. Police believe he was lying in the road when he was hit by a car.

An investigation was launched following the discovery on July 20 of Mr Hickox, 42, from Halifax, but no arrest has yet been made.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said that variable message signs would be directing motorists to alternative car parks while the Nunnery Lane car park was closed.

She said that the nearest alternative to the 234-space car park was St George's Field.

Updated: 10:53 Thursday, October 23, 2003