Schoolchildren found a man dead in his car on a Hendon housing estate yesterday afternoon.

Police were called shortly before 4pm to Upper Fosters, in New Brent Street, where the 47-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Witnesses said a group of schoolchildren playing in the area noticed the man motionless in a black Renault Clio before they dialled 999.

London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service also attended the scene to assist police.

The area was cordoned off until late into the evening and the car has since been removed.

Police say the man’s next of kin have been informed and the case has been passed to the coroner.

One witness, who lives on the estate but did not want to be named, said: “It is very sad – just tragic really that someone could do that.

“There were a lot of schoolchildren around at the time and it is just a sad situation.”

Schoolchildren were playing in the area when they saw the man lying motionless in his car