A POSTAL worker found the body of a man on a Harrogate footpath early today.

The dead man, who is believed to have been in his 30s, had suffered facial injuries.

He was found in Skipton Road, near the New Park roundabout, at about 5am today.

The man was taken to Harrogate District Hospital and was officially pronounced dead on arrival.

Police officers are treating the incident as suspicious and have launched an investigation.

A post-mortem examination wasexpected to take place today to find the cause of death.

Skipton Road was closed to traffic while officers conducted a search of the area, but was expected to reopen later today.

Updated: 15:18 Monday, April 08, 2002