DETECTIVES are waiting to question a holidaymaker recovering in hospital after a man died following a fight at a North-East beauty spot.

The community of Stanhope, in Weardale, County Durham, has been shocked by the death of Michael Burrup, 36, who was found face-down in a stagnant pool in the early hours of Saturday.

He had been walking home from the Packhorse pub, in the market town, with a friend from Stanhope and two Sunderland holidaymakers, when he became embroiled in a row on the banks of the river Wear, near Heather View Caravan Park.

Moments later, Mr Burrup crashed through a barrier and down a 15ft embankment, and landed face-down in a pool of stagnant water, along with one of the Sunderland men.

Both were pulled from the water by Mr Burrup's companion. The holidaymaker was unconscious but still breathing, but the foundry worker was already dead.

Police are waiting for the 26-year-old man - being treated for elbow and back injuries at University Hospital, Durham - to recover sufficiently so they can question him about the last moments of Mr Burrup's life.

Last night, detectives refused to be drawn on whether they were dealing with a murder investigation, and would only say they were treating it as a "serious, suspicious death".

Officers believe there had been some form of physical contact between Mr Burrup and the other man.

A post-mortem examination carried out by Home Office pathologist Dr James Sunter failed to determine the cause of death, and more tests are due to be carried out today.

Mr Burrup, from Railway Terrace, was known to everyone in the town for his permanent smile and gentle nature. His death has sent shock-waves through the community.

As the market town went about its business on Saturday, people tried to take stock of the incident which had taken place hours earlier.

Mr Burrup's uncle, retired builder Ronnie Burrup, from nearby Frosterley, described his nephew as a "carefree lad who liked a bit of fun in life".

He last saw him five days ago, cycling to work at Blair's Foundry in Stanhope.

Speaking yesterday, he said: "I have spoken to my brother and the family, and they are in a pretty bad way. Michael's mother is taking the whole thing particularly badly."

Carol Pattillo, landlady of the Packhorse Pub where the bachelor had been drinking moments before his death, said: "He left here and there was no trouble, nothing.

"It's so strange it happening here. He was not the type of person who would go looking for trouble.

"He was a nice lad with a permanent smile on his face. He left for home and never reached it."

Catherine Parmley, who lives in the town, said the riverside walk was well-used by everyone as a short-cut home, especially at night after pub closing time.

She said: "We are stunned. It's just not something that happens around here.

"Michael was really canny. I didn't know him that well. He was really nice and polite, he always seemed quite placid.

"He was not the type of lad to get in a fight."

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson said: "People in the area have started to come forward and pass on information, which obviously I am very encouraged by.

"But we still need to speak to anyone in the Heather View Caravan Site, or Butts Caravan Park off the Market Place, who may have seen or heard anything unusual.

"There may also have been people making their way to work, even at such an early hour, who might have seen the four men making their way from the pub and along the river bank."

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the incident room at Crook police station on (01388) 762011.