A MURDER inquiry has been launched after a man died following a knife attack outside his home.

And two men have undergone emergency treatment after an attack in a separate incident on Teesside at the weekend.

The 33-year-old man who was killed has not yet been named. He was repeatedly stabbed in the head and neck in Meadowfield Road, Whinney Banks, Middlesbrough, on Sunday night.

Detective Inspector Tim Blades paid tribute to neighbours, who tried to administer first aid to the man while an ambulance was called.

The victim was taken, critically injured, to Middlesbrough General Hospital, where surgeons carried out an emergency operation, but he died yesterday.

Police have charged a 23-year-old man with violent disorder and assault.

A 27-year-old man is being detained in Middlesbrough General Hospital, where he is being treated for a wound to a hand.

Meanwhile, two men had emergency surgery following an unconnected knife attack in a pub, also on Teesside.

A 31-year-old man was stabbed in his liver and a 28-year-old man suffered a punctured lung.

Police arrived at the Princess Alice pub, in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, to find one of the badly-injured men slumped in the pub and the other collapsed in nearby King Street.

It is thought he may have staggered there from the bar, in Normandy Road.

Police are not yet clear as to whether the man found in the street was stabbed in the pub.

Detective Inspector Gordon Lang said of the South Bank incident: "Whenever a knife is used in such a manner it is always of grave concern because of the potential risk to life. We are treating this very seriously, and we are very keen to trace the person responsible."

A blood-soaked kitchen knife was found at the pub, which was closed by police following the incident. It remained closed yesterday.

The police have so far been unable to establish a motive for the South Bank double-stabbing. An eight-strong police team is interviewing pub regulars and nearby residents.

Officers are anxious to trace all those who were in the pub at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland police, on (01642) 302606.