A HUNT is under way to find relatives of 78-year-old widower Neville Jessup, who died at the spacious Swindon home that he had rented for many years.

It is understood Mr Jessup’s body was discovered in his bed by a fellow lodger at a detached house in Lawn.

He died of natural causes on Thursday last week, but since then, police have been unable to trace any of his relatives.

Wiltshire police issued an urgent appeal yesterday, saying: “The coroner office is now seeking any family members or anyone who might have information on the whereabouts of any relatives.

“It is thought that Mr Jessup has a sister living in the Bournemouth area, but does not have any known family in Swindon.”

Mr Jessup lived in Canterbury Close, a secluded area off Sandringham Road.

Sprightly Alison Charles, 97, who lives next door, knew Mr Jessup as Peter and spoke to him regularly.

She said: “He was a very pleasant man, always said hello and waved.

“We always speak about the weather but not much else.

“I would often see him outside the house. He went off driving a lot, always on his own.

“I don’t know where he went – probably to the pub for a meal.”

Mrs Charles, who has lived in Canterbury Close for 17 years, couldn’t recall how long she had known Mr Jessup.

“He had a wife but I never met her. She’s been dead for a long time,” she said.

“I don’t know anything about any other family he may have had.”

Mrs Charles said that she was told that Mr Jessup was found dead in his bedroom.

She said: “Obviously I’m very sad at what’s happened.”

It is understood that the four-bedroomed house where Mr Jessup and another lodger lived is owned by another couple.

Mrs Charles said she understood the owners had a home in France.

Anyone with information is asked to contact coroner's officer Mo Davey on 01793 507841.