POLICE hunting the killers of a 31-year-old man earlier this month are urging anyone in the area at the time of the murder to contact them.

Detectives hope to hear from everyone who was in the Cleadon Hills Road area of South Tyneside between 4pm and 6pm on Thursday, March 2, when Lee Phipps was chased and stabbed.

Detective Superintendent Steve Wade said his officers had still not been able to trace everyone who may have witnessed the incident or anything suspicious in the area.

He said people may not have come forward because they thought they had nothing relevant to tell police.

But he said they may have been described to police by other witnesses and it was important that they could be eliminated from the investigation.

Det Supt Wade said he also wanted to trace a man in his 50s who spoke to the dog walker who found Mr Phipps' body.

"He could be an important witness with vital information for the inquiry,'' he said.

The man is of slim to medium build, had short hair and was possibly wearing glasses.

Mr Phipps, of King George Road, who was half-Somali, was attacked and killed at about 5.20pm as he went to photograph snow on the nearby Cleadon Hills.

His family had complained to police previously about racist abuse. Three people have been arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries.

The incident room number is 0191-454 7555, extension 65085. People can also ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.