POLICE investigating a double murder yesterday named a man who they believe could hold the key to their inquiry.

They want to trace 42-year-old Paul Marshall, a tenant of the York bedsit where Kevin Mulgrew, 38, and Daniel Wall, 27, were found battered to death on December 4.

Mr Marshall was last seen at the door of the council-owned flat in Gillygate by a City of York Council worker, who was called out on December 2 to investigate what was thought to be a water leak after the bakery below the flat reported a brown stain on their ceiling.

A plumber who arrived at the property hours later got no reply and when police forced their way inside, they found the partially decomposed bodies.

Detective Superintendent Javad Ali, who is leading the investigation, said officers wanted to speak to Mr Marshall "in relation to the deaths" as soon as possible and urged members of the public not to approach him.

He said: "His present whereabouts are not known and police officers have so far failed to locate him. We are appealing for him to come forward and contact the police as a matter of urgency.

"Given the nature of this particular incident, we are advising members of the public not to approach Paul Marshall, but to report any sightings immediately to the police."

Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to contact the incident room on (01904) 669430 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.