A County Durham dad-of-two has been stabbed to death in an Australian motel car park.

Royce Mallett, 30, from Haswell, County Durham, was the victim of an alleged stabbing at a car park in Wodonga Place, South Albury on Monday (July 8) at about 6.15pm Australia time. 

Murray River Police District, who are looking after the case, attended and found Mr Mallett with a stab wound to his chest.

New South Wales Ambulance paramedics treated him at the scene, but he was pronounced dead a short time later at Albury Base Hospital.

A 28-year-old man was arrested nearby, with police saying that he was "assisting police with their inquiries."

Royce MallettRoyce Mallett (Image: FACEBOOK)

A spokesperson for New South Wales Police said: "A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

"A crime scene has been established with police commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"Following inquiries, police arrested a 28-year-old man in Olive Street, Albury.

"He was taken to Albury police station where he is assisting police with their inquiries."

Following Mr Mallett's death, a fundraising page - named 'Bring Royce Home' - has been set up by his family - who say they are "heartbroken" by the death of the dad-of-two.

They are trying to raise £20,000, and have so far managed to raise £3,450.

On the fundraising page, the description reads: "On July 8, Royce Mallett was stabbed and murdered while working in Australia.

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"As a family, we need to raise funds to bring him back home to the UK. Royce was a kind man with a good heart who went to Australia to make a better life for his family.

"He was an amazing father to his two young children who adore their dad.

"Words cannot describe how heartbroken we all are as a family, and we just want our Royce home where he belongs."