A man has collapsed and died in the street shortly after being spoken to by police.

He was pronounced dead following an incident in which officers were called to Richmond Street, in Cheriton, Folkestone, last night.

Paramedics desperately tried to save the man by doing CPR and heart massage in the street.

The road has been sealed off today and police forensic officers have been at the scene.

Kent Police today said it has referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. No other details have been released about the man.

A couple who live close to where the man died said they heard a commotion at about 11pm.

The woman, who did not want to be identified, said: "I went outside and neighbours told me that a man had tried to get into the wrong house and police had been called.

"They were talking to him when he collapsed in the street.

"An ambulance car came and paramedics gave him CPR and heart massage but we understand he died at the scene.

"When we woke up this morning, the road was cordoned off and there were police forensic officers everywhere.

"It has not really registered what happened."

A Kent Police spokesman said: "The matter was referred to the IPCC as is mandatory in all cases involving a death following police contact."