A 54-year-old man has been arrested after a father was killed in front of hundreds of horrified clubbers as he danced with his girlfriend.

Mark Thirsk, 40, was battered to death at De Niro's nightclub in Middlesbrough.

Cleveland Police, who announced the arrest late last night, said he was dancing with his girlfriend when he was attacked in the early hours of yesterday.

Revellers battled to save him - giving first aid in the club - but he was pronounced dead on arrival at Middlesbrough General Hospital. A post-mortem examination has shown he died of head injuries.

Police said he had been to numerous pubs in Middlesbrough on Thursday night before going to De Niro's in Zetland Road.

Mr Thirsk, who was divorced and had two sons aged 13 and eight, lived alone in the town's Tower Green.

Friends - who nicknamed him Nipper - last night described him as the life and soul of the party.

A man who grew up with Mr Thirsk, but did not want to be named, said: "He was a bit of a Jack-the-Lad.

"I saw him on Thursday night actually, and can't believe he is dead.

"He was a great character who reminded me a bit of Del Boy."

Another friend, who had known him for about ten years, said: "He was a bit of a ladies' man, but he enjoyed himself and hurt no one.

"I don't know why anything like this would happen to him.

"It is especially sad because he had two young children. One of them used to come and visit him every weekend."

Police are to scan security camera footage in a bid to find out what went on before the incident.

Meanwhile, officers have warned that the town centre has become increasingly violent over the past 12 months.

Earlier this week it was announced that doormen are to get two-way radios to warn each other of potentially violent groups of drinkers. The system will link with Cleveland Police's control room.