POLICE are investigating the sudden death of a 29-year-old man who was found dead in his home in Weston Avenue in Ulverston at 1.10am today.

The death is being treated as unexplained at this time. Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

Police, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service attended the property.

Early investigations indicated that there may have been some unknown substances at the address following previous history at the property.

As a precaution Weston Avenue was closed, the immediate neighbouring properties were evacuated and some residents were advised to close their windows.

Following a thorough check of the property by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, they confirmed the property is safe, with no risk to members of the public at this time. Therefore the cordon was lifted at approximately 5am and the community can continue as normal.

The North West Ambulance Service's Hazardous Area Response Team, Liverpool, and specialists from Greater Manchester’s Fire and Rescue Service will be supporting Cumbria’s emergency services later this morning to assist with the investigation into the circumstances around the death of a local man.

Emergency services would like to thank the local community for their support overnight and for the patience during the initial stages of the incident.

Earlier this month, a quantity of chemicals were seized from the premises following a police-led drugs raid.

Following the discovery of the chemicals, firefighters from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service were called in to identify and safely remove the items.

A 29-year-old man from Ulverston was arrested on suspicion of drugs offences and was later released on bail.

Although police have not confirmed the identity of the deceased man, it is understood to be Joseph Nattrass.

The 29-year-old was in court in June where he pleaded guilty to producing amphetamine, a Class B drug.

Nattrass was given a 12-month community order consisting of 100 hours of unpaid work, as well as being ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.

At that court hearing, his defence solicitor, Maureen Fawcett, said: "He has been very open and frank with the police about everything. He said it almost feels like he's in a chemistry lesson at times.

"It is his hobby and he has been collecting some of the things since he was 10 or 12 years old.

"He hasn't done it for almost a year but some of the things he collected, like mercury, he found he couldn't get rid of safely.

"Ordering the destruction of the chemicals takes a lot of the responsibility off him and it'll actually be quite a relief to him."

Anyone who has any information should call Cumbria police on 101 and quote log number 12 of 24th August.