Detectives in Africa have launched a murder hunt after the body of a North-East man was found dumped in a well.

Grieving relatives have identified the body of Tynesider Simon Buckley, 40, who with his flatmate was slaughtered at his home in Harare's eastern suburb of Greendale, in Zimbabwe.

The body of the second man, Kenny Froud, 39, was also recovered from the well in the double murder probe.

Mr Buckley's distraught father and brother were too distressed to talk at the family home in Mostyn Green, Kenton, Newcastle.

A relative said: "We don't know any more, we are waiting for further information from the Foreign Office."

It is believed the men were the tragic victims of a savage robbery as most of their property was missing from the premises when police traced where they lived.

Their bodies were identified by relatives who made inquiries at Rhodesville police station, following a report in The Herald newspaper in Harare.

A Harare police spokesman said a number of people had been quizzed in the inquiry, but so far no one has been arrested. Mr Buckley's family, including his father, Joseph, and brother, Martin,

were anxiously waiting for news of the progress of the murder investigation.

A death notice in a Newcastle evening paper said Simon died tragically in Zimbabwe and that he was at peace now with his mother.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware a murder investigation is underway into the deaths of two men in Harare.

"Our Consular staff are assisting relatives."

It is understood police forensic experts have established the men were killed at the flat.

One of the bodies had a large building block tied to the neck, while the other had a rope fastened around his neck when they were retrieved.

The Foreign Office has confirmed each of the murdered men was British.