Police believe the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a man’s body in the lake at Raphael Park this morning are not suspicious.

The family of the deceased has been informed of his death, which is being treated as unexplained.

An area remains cordoned off while police accompanied by the Met Marine Support Unit investigate.

Emergency services were called to the park at 5.54am.

Residents have expressed their “shock”.

Ernie Fillingham, 72, of Brockton Close, Romford: “I have lived here for about 20 years and walk over there nearly every other day and I have never seen anything untoward take place.

“I am shocked – we don’t get things like this here. You do get quite a few night fishers in the park that I don’t think are supposed to be there but nothing unusual. I’m just shocked.”

Sunita Ahuja, 57, of Lake Rise, Romford, added: “It is pretty frightening and quite traumatising knowing a body has been found right by where we live. We go for regular walks over there so it is definitely worrying.”

Havering Council locks the large park, which includes a restaurant, tennis courts and playsite over night.

Police enquiries continue.