THE funeral of murder victim Tipu Sultan will be held on Wednesday (April 22).

Mr Sultan, 32, of Sunderland, was gunned down outside his family’s Herbs and Spice Kitchen takeaway on Lake Avenue, in Marsden, South Shields, on Tuesday, April 7.

His funeral is due to start at 2.30pm and will be held in the car park of the Sunderland Bangladeshi Community Centre in Tatham Street, Sunderland.

The event is being held outdoors, as a large number of people from the North-East and further afield are expected to attend to pay their respects.

Prayers are to be led by the Imam of the Sunderland mosque while refreshments will be offered afterwards in the community centre.

The funeral was originally planned for tomorrow (Tuesday) however it was put back a day because the release of the body was delayed until late today (Monday).

Imam Yusuf Meah, the Imam of the University of Sunderland and Sunderland Jami Mosque based in Chester Road, where Tipu attended, said earlier: “This is a very difficult time because our religion says that the body should be buried straight away, as soon as there is a death certificate.

“But due to the circumstances of this death the body cannot be released and preparations for a funeral cannot start.

“At each prayer now we pray the body will be released so plans can start.”

Meanwhile, police are continuing to hunt Mr Sultan's killers.

A 35-year-old man, from Newcastle, was arrested and questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, before being released on bail.

Two men on a motorcycle were seen in the lane behind Lake Avenue, in South Shields, moments before and after the shooting. Police believe the pair were responsible for the father-of-two’s death.

Anyone with any information can contact Northumbria Police on 101 extension 69191 quoting reference number 1255 07/04/15 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.