Man dies in Hunter Valley backyard

A man is in police custody after the death of a 36-year-old man in a backyard in the NSW Hunter Valley.

The dying man was found by paramedics in the yard of a Cessnock home about 11pm on Tuesday, NSW Police said in a statement.

Despite attempts to save him, he died at the scene.

A 32-year-old man handed himself in to police following the death and remains in police custody.

A 31-year-old woman also handed herself in but was later released as police investigate. The pair is believed to have known the dead man.

A crime scene has been set up at the house and investigators have seized a four-wheel drive for forensic examination.