POLICE are appealing for people with information about a disturbance in Middlesbrough the night before an Asian man was found murdered in his home in Teak Street.

The man has been identified by police as 39-year-old Abdul Ghaffor, a father of four. He had been dead at least overnight before he was found on a sofa by his landlord's agent, who had gone to check the premises as Mr Ghaffor had recently moved in.

A post-mortem examination later that afternoon showed he had injuries to his face and head which suggested he had been brutally attacked with a blunt weapon.

Police confirmed they were treating the investigation as murder and added they were still looking for the murder weapon.

Detective Inspector Ian Garrett, from Middlesbrough Police, described Mr Ghaffor as a loner who people knew to talk to. He was last seen at about 9.15pm talking to a police officer.

He said: "We don't believe it is racially motivated but we are keeping an open mind."

Yesterday, as Mr Ghaffor's wife returned to the North-East from London, police were carrying out door- to-door inquiries in the Abingdon Road area of Middlesbrough. About 40 officers are involved in the investigation.

Three men, all in their early twenties, are in custody, and are being interviewed by officers.

Det Insp Garrett appealed for anyone with information about a disturbance that evening, in the Teak Street area, or who had seen Mr Ghaffor after the police officer spoke to him, to come forward.

Witnesses can ring Middlesbrough Police on (01642) 303388.