DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a North-East takeaway worker say they are following a number of new leads following an appeal on BBC One's Crimewatch programme last night (Tues).

Tipu Sultan, 32, was killed almost instantly after being shot from close range at the rear of the Herbs n Spice Kitchen takeaway in Lake Avenue, South Shields, on the evening of Tuesday, April 7.

Two men on a motorbike were seen riding into the rear lane in Lake Avenue just before the incident and seen driving away immediately after the shooting.

The Northern Echo: WANTED: POLICE investigating the murder of Tipu Sultan have releasing new CCTV images of two men on a motorbike that detectives believe are responsible for his death.  (23293827)

Officers believe that these two men were responsible for the murder of Mr Sultan and inquiries are underway to identify and locate them.

A reconstruction of the murder was aired on the Crimewatch programme last night, with Detective Chief Inspector John Bent appearing live in the studio to appeal for information.

After the appeal a team of Northumbria Police detectives remained in the studio to take calls from the members of the public about the murder.

DCI Bent said: "We have received a number of really interesting calls since the reconstruction aired and some members of the public have even presented us with names for who they think could be the two suspects on the motorbike.

"Already we have been able to eliminate one person we were trying to trace from our inquiries and have a number of new leads that our team of detectives will investigate.

"But despite the success of the appeal we would still urge anybody with information about what is a brutal and cold blooded murder to get in touch."

He added: "We are still trying to trace the drivers of a small silver vehicle, perhaps a Vauxhall Corsa or a Ford Fiesta, that was seen at the back of the takeaway just before the shooting took place.

"Any information could be the key we need to solving this crime and no matter how irrelevant you may think the information may be it could help solve the murder of Tipu Sultan.”

DCI Bent also appealed for anyone who knows anything about a burnt out motorcycle, matching the description of the one seen driving away from the scene - found a day after the murder.

The parts were found in a field on Waterloo Road, Washington, and have been sent away for forensic testing.

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.