A motorist has been arrested following the death of a man in a suspected hit-and-run incident near GCHQ in Cheltenham.

The 62-year-old man, who was held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the incident on the A40, has now been released under investigation, police said.

The man’s body was found on the road, a main route connecting the town with nearby Gloucester, at around 2am.

Forensic officers at work at the scene of the suspected hit-and-run in Cheltenham (Rod Minchin/PA)
Forensic officers at work at the scene of the crash in Cheltenham (Rod Minchin/PA)

Gloucestershire Police closed off a section of the A40 – a few hundred metres from the Government communications headquarters – while forensic officers carried out their examinations of the scene. The road has since reopened.

The force said officers were carrying out inquiries to locate anyone involved in the incident and to identify the victim.

Police have issued a description of the man in the hope someone recognises him.

He is described as white, with dark brown hair, and was wearing black leather-type shoes, green corduroy trousers and a white/cream shirt with check line detail.

Police said his age was “hard to estimate” and could be in his twenties, thirties or forties.

Chief Inspector Alistair Barby, of the tri-force roads policing team, said: “Can I appeal to anyone who was travelling on the A40 around the time of the incident and may have seen something relevant to call straight away.

“Likewise if you think you saw or know the victim we want to hear from you, or if you have any information about what happened.”