POLICE have opened a "murder-style" investigation after a man was found dead in a street not far from his home.

Anthony Muirhead, 25, was found on a pavement in Elgin Grove, East Stanley, County Durham, early yesterday morning.

A post-mortem examination failed to fully establish the cause of death. Four men and two women, all in their twenties, are helping police with their inquiries.

Mr Muirhead, of nearby Acton Dene, was found by a police officer at about 5am after an anonymous 999 phone call was made about quarter-of-a-mile away in Ruskin Close.

Home Office pathologist James Sunter conducted the post-mortem examination at Shotley Bridge Hospital and has ordered laboratory tests to try to establish the exact cause of death.

Residents in Elgin Grove woke to find police had cordoned off their street and scenes of crime scientists working in the area and at the public telephone box.

Police, who have set up an incident room, conducted house-to-house inquiries, but are still appealing for fresh information, particularly from anyone disturbed by a late-night party in the area.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson, the officer in charge of the inquiry, confirmed that police were treating the incident as suspicious. He added that the police priority was to piece together the victim's movements, particularly after midnight.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room on (01207) 232144.