SCHOOL pupils and commuters were shocked to come across intense police activity at Cumnock Bus Station on Monday morning.

A large section of the footpath between The Square and Tanyard Medical Centre was cordoned off with blue tape.

Specialist officers were investigating the death of a 37-year-old man, named locally as James Wallace, following an incident at the pathway.

It understood that police were called to a property in Dalgleish Avenue, Cumnock, at 11.15am on Saturday, January 20, in connection with the discovery of a man's body.

They later said: "We are appealing for information following the death of a man in the Cumnock area on Saturday, January 20.

"Police were called to a report of the body of a 37-year-old man being discovered within a property in Dalgleish Avenue.

"A post mortem examination will be carried out in due course to establish the exact cause of death, which officers are currently treating as unexplained.

"From enquiries carried out so far, it is understood that the man was involved in an altercation with a group of males and females in the Tower Street area of Cumnock around 7.30pm on Friday, January 19."

Detective Inspector Graham Duncan at Kilmarnock CID added that although there was nothing to suggest that the man died as a result of the altercation he was involved in the night before, it is crucial that we establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the Tower Street area near to the bus station between 7pm and 8pm on Friday who may have witnessed a disturbance or anything at all suspicious to please get in touch.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Kilmarnock CID via 101, quoting incident number 1356 of Saturday, January 20.

"Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence," he added.

Investigators had erected a blue tent over a section of the pathway as they pieced together what happened.

Several police vehicles were also in the area, blocking access from The Square to The Tanyard and vice-versa.

Bus services ran as normal although there had been initial disruption when the incident was reported.