MYSTERY surrounds the death of a North-East holidaymaker whose body was found in a flat in Tunisia.

Police in the North African country have launched an investigation after Colin McDermott, 73, was found dead in his friend's holiday home.

It is believed that a Tunisian man found him in the flat on Sunday with a fatal head wound. His death is being treated as suspicious.

Mr McDermott, of Jonquil Close, Chapel Park, Newcastle, was due to return from a four-week holiday when his body was found.

He was a regular visitor to Tunisia, and holidayed there about five times a year.

Friends said he could speak Tunisian and spent a lot of time with the locals.

It is thought he was looking after the flat, in the Sous area of Tunisia for a friend, who lives in Cramlington, Northumberland.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said local police were investigating.