AN ELDERLY man was found dead following a fire at his Rodbourne home. The man has not yet been named by police, but electoral records show the house was occupied by Ronald Ford.

Neighbours said Mr Ford, 79, had lived at 21 Fosse Close for more than 40 years.

They described him as a recluse who rarely spoke to anyone and had few visitors.

Police have investigated the incident and do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances.

The fire happened at 6.10pm on Tuesday night and the street was busy with firefighters, police and scenes of crime officers until yesterday afternoon.

The fire was contained in the living room where the man was found dead by police.

A post mortem showed he died from smoke inhalation.

A team of detectives arrived at 11am to speak to any witnesses in the street.

Neighbour Albert Reeves, 81, a former railwayman who lives in Fosse Close, said he knew little about Mr Ford despite having lived opposite him for 43 years.

"I didn't know him to talk to, he was very independent," he said.

"I never saw him talk to anyone and never saw any visitors there.

"He moved here with his wife at the same time as me, but his wife died a long time ago."

Stanley Rogers, 78, who lives in Fosse Close with his wife Joyce, 73, said: "We didn't see or hear a fire, the first we know of it was when the police arrived just after 6pm.

"We've lived here for 40 years and have never had a conversation with him, we'd say hello and sometimes he would grunt, other times he would just ignore us.

"A woman visited him occasionally but we don't know who she was. This is very sad."

The matter is being investigated by Detective Inspector Paul Jennings of Swindon Police.

Police are keen to speak to the owner of a red Metro car, registration K818 0MR, which delivered a food package to Mr Ford's house on Monday. They believe the driver may have information about Mr Ford's next of keen.

Call 01793 528111 with any information.