THREE people have been arrested in connection with the murder of a nightclub bouncer five years ago.

Two men, aged 37 and 28, and a 27-year-old woman were detained for questioning following a series of dawn raids over the gangland-style murder of Kevin Nightingale.

Mr Nightingale was gunned down on his doorstep in South Shields, South Tyneside, in what was believed to be an attack linked to an underworld power struggle, centring on the supply of drugs to Tyneside pubs and nightclubs.

Four men accused of plotting to kill Mr Nightingale were cleared at Teesside Crown Court, in April 1997, after the jury was directed to return not guilty verdicts.

Police found Mr Nightingale lying in his doorway at Drake Close, on the Lytton Park estate, in February 1996.

His neighbours said they heard three or four shots ring out in the early hours