POLICE investigating the murder of a Teesside youth have received a flurry of calls following an emotional appeal by his mother.

Officers are today following up several new leads supplied by people living in Grangetown who saw or heard about the stabbing of Wayne Bircham on Sunday afternoon.

Yesterday, his mother Michelle, 37, described in a statement how his death had devastated the whole family, including his brothers, sisters and grandmother. She asked people to put themselves in her place and have the courage to come forward.

Detective Superintendent Tony Hutchinson, who is leading the inquiry, said: "It resulted in several calls being made to the incident room. A number were also received on a dedicated mobile phone.

"Mrs Bircham's bravery in coming out to make this appeal has touched the hearts of many people, and they have given us a lot of useful information. Those leads will hopefully tighten the noose of our inquiries in the hunt to bring the people responsible to justice."

Mr Bircham, 19, died from a single stab wound to the chest after he was attacked in Lancaster Road, Grangetown. A few days earlier, the known drug user had been stabbed in the arm.

Anyone with information should ring the mobile on 077 9977 3851 or the incident room on (01642) 302 687.

Updated: 13.15 Thursday, June 14