POLICE launched a murder investigation yesterday after a man stabbed during a street row at the weekend lost his fight for life.

David Huitson, 53, was knifed in the chest during the confrontation with an attacker on Sunday night.

Mr Huitson, of Westfield Avenue, Brunswick, Newcastle, was taken to Newcastle General Hospital in a critical condition. He died from his wounds yesterday.

Police immediately announced they were treating the incident as a murder.

The victim, who was 6ft tall with ginger hair and a ginger beard, was walking his collie dog on grassland next to Westfield Avenue when he became involved in a row with another man.

During the fracas, he was stabbed in the chest several times.

Police are still searching for the murder weapon and about 40 officers from Newcastle are now involved in the case.

Detective Superintendent Colin Dobson, who is leading the inquiry, said they were keen to speak to anyone who saw the confrontation between the men, or was in the area between 6.15pm and 6.20pm on Sunday.

An incident room has been set up at Etal Lane police station, phone number 0191-221 8982.

A 22-year-old man is helping police with their inquiries and magistrates granted police an extension to hold him for further questioning until this morning.