INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into a suspicious death in a dales market town.

Michael Burrup, 36, and a Sunderland holidaymaker were dragged from a rock-filled, stagnant pool of water in Stanhope, County Durham, early on Saturday after a heated row.

Mr Burrup, of Railway Terrace, Stanhope, had been part of a group walking home from a "lock-in" at the Packhorse pub, in the market square, when he became involved in a row near the Heather View caravan site.

The two men crashed through a fence, down a 12ft embankment and landed face down in the water. A friend of Mr Burrup dragged them both out, but the Stanhope man was already dead.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson, who is leading the investigation, said an initial post-mortem examination carried out by a Home Office pathologist did not establish the exact cause of death.

It was not yet certain whether severe head injuries found on Mr Burrup led to his death.

Det Supt Stephenson said they were still waiting for the 26-year-old Sunderland man to recover in hospital, so they could question him about events.

Det Supt Stephenson said finding witnesses could prove difficult because the incident happened at 3am, but he was confident people would continue to come forward.

He said: "It could prove difficult, but you have to remember we have people up there for the weekends.

"There were caravan lights on in the caravan park, and certainly some of these people, having heard shouting, have come forward."

Residents of the town are shattered by Mr Burrup's death. He was known for the permanent smile on his face, and his mild-mannered nature.

The atmosphere at the Blackett Hutton foundry in Stanhope, where Mr Burrup worked, was sombre as workers heard the news of their colleague's death.

Works director Stan Henderson said: "A lot of the people here are very, very shocked. We have 260 people on site, and the majority come from the local area.

"It is a close-knit place. He worked in different departments, so the vast majority knew Michael."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Crook police station, on (01388) 762011.