MYSTERY surrounds the death of a 44-year-old grandfather whose body was found in a neighbour’s garden.

Peter Walker, of Hambleton Avenue, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, was last seen alive at 11.05pm on Monday, after carrying out maintenance work and having a drink with friends at Bagby Airfield.

His body was found at 6am on Tuesday outside flats opposite his home, where he had been dropped off hours earlier by his friend, Steve Hoyle.

Mr Hoyle, the airfield’s manager, said Mr Walker’s death had come as a massive shock to his circle of friends, as apart from an apparent minor chest complaint, he had appeared to be in good health.

He and neighbours said they could not understand why the devoted grandfather had been found in a garden and added that he was not a regular heavy drinker and only an occasional smoker.

Mr Hoyle said: “Pete had been to the doctors and had an x-ray at hospital before Christmas and had been given the all-clear.

“On Monday, he had done some jobs and seemed fine when I left him outside his house. He said, ‘See you tomorrow’ to me. That was the last time he was seen alive.

“Pete was a very caring, popular guy, who would do anything to help people. He had a lot of friends and will be sadly missed by everybody here.”

It is understood the former Thirsk School pupil, who took his black Staffordshire terrier Rosie with him everywhere, was not with the dog when he was found.

Friends said in the weeks before his death, the unemployed father-of-two had been desperately searching for a regular job, but had remained positive and had enjoyed trips to shoot, fish and fly in light aircraft.

North Yorkshire Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Walker, who had celebrated his birthday at bars in the town on New Year’s Eve, and that no one else had been involved.

A police spokesman said further tests were being carried out to establish why Mr Walker died.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Ruff said: “In order to assist the coroner in establishing the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Walker, I need to establish as much information as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Simon Hepburn on 101 and press option two.