An independent police watchdog tonight said it would not be investigating the handling of an incident in which a man died of a gunshot wound in a hotel car park.

Norfolk police referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) after the incident at Briarfields Hotel, at Titchwell, near Hunstanton, on Sunday afternoon.

It said that it had done so because there had been 'previous contact' between officers and the man.

But tonight the IPCC said after assessing the incident, by looking at officers' and witnesses' statements, it had decided that it did not need to become involved.

'We've carried out an assesssment earlier this week and we've determined that it's suitable for local investigation,' a spokesman at the IPCC's London headquarters said.

Norfolk police said the investigation into the shooting would now be handled by its professional standards branch.

Officers were called to Briarfields, an upmarket hotel and restaurant close to the RSPB reserve at Titchwell Marsh, after concerns were raised over a man's safety.

A 60-year-old man, who has not yet been named, was found in the car park with a gunshot wound and a firearm, believed to be a .22 calibre rifle, lying nearby.

An ambulance crew and doctors from Magpas Helimedix fought to save the victim, but he was declared dead at the scene.

Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

The identity of the dead man will not be released until an inquest is opened into his death. A date for this has not yet been fixed.