POLICE investigating the suspicious death of a Hartlepool man, whose body was found on a railway line, are appealing for clues to why he was there.

Peter Evans, 47, was found on a stretch of track at the rear of the Royal Vaults pub on Thursday night. He had suffered injuries to his face and body, which he could have sustained during an attack or fall.

Now police want to know why Mr Evans, who was formerly of Owton Manor, Hartlepool, but had moved to The Front, Seaton Carew, was in the area that night.

Detective Superintendent Mark Braithwaite, who is leading the inquiry, said he was keen to find out where Mr Evans had been during the course of Thursday and why he was in the Church Street area at 7.45pm. "I would appeal to anyone who knows Mr Evans, who saw him or knows his movements during the course of the evening, to contact the police incident room at Hartlepool," he added.

Det Sup Braithwaite described the area where the body was found as popular with local people, and said it was likely that passers-by might have seen someone matching Mr Evans' description.

When he was found, Mr Evans was wearing dark trousers, a black long-sleeved jumper and a brown canvas overcoat with a darker brown, fur-like collar. He was 5ft 10in, of heavy build and balding.

Det Sup Braithwaite said: "Early inquiries indicate that he lived alone and kept himself to himself. I am sure, though, that some people knew Mr Evans, and it is those people that I am appealing to to help me piece together the last moments of his life."

Anyone with information can ring Hartlepool police on (01642) 326326