POLICE investigating the murder of a man with learning disabilities in an attack last week are appealing for bus passengers to come forward.

Brent Martin, 23, of Witherwack, Sunderland, died in hospital on multiple injuries last weekend after being set on in Baxter Road, in the city's Town End Farm estate on Thursday night.

William Hughes 21, of Washington Road, Sunderland, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old - the law is that they cannot be named - have been charged with murder.

They are currently in custody and are due to appear before Newcastle Crown Court on Monday.

Police say the attack on Mr Martin started next to the car wash in Bunny Hill, the main road leading to Town End Farm and that a Number 13 bus was at a stop there when the assault began at 9.10pm.

Detective Superintendent Barbara Franklin said: "We know there were three girls on the back seats and also a group of three young men and an elderly woman on the bus.

"These passengers may well have witnessed the assault but not connected it to events later that evening.

"We need to speak to these people as well as anyone else on Bunny Hill that night.'' Anyone with information should call the incident room on 08456 043 043, extension 66333, of Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.