A MURDER hunt was launched last night after a man died following an incident at a North-East nightspot.

David Cutts, who was from the Marton Manor area of Middlesbrough, had been admitted to the town's James Cook University Hospital in a coma, on Sunday, after being involved in a fight at Benson's Bar, in Middlesbrough's Linthorpe Road.

Relatives of Mr Cutts agreed to his hospital life- support machine being turned off, last night, after being told by doctors the 49-year-old was brain dead.

He either fell or was pushed down the stairs of the two-storey club, suffering severe head injuries and was found slumped outside the premises where door staff administered first aid.

An ambulance crew was called to the bar shortly after 1am on Sunday.

Acting Detective Inspector Paul Richardson said: "Close members of the family were at the bedside when the decision was taken. It is imperative that anyone who was in the bar on Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday gets in touch with the police."

Police had been called to a report of a fight on the dancefloor at 1.16am - nine minutes after the ambulance arrived to tend to the injured man.

The detective said: "At the present time, we don't know if these incidents are linked. The injured man had been a customer at the bar and had been involved in a disturbance.

"Shortly afterwards, he was pushed or he fell down a flight of stairs.

"This is a club on two floors, a bar downstairs and a bar and dance floor upstairs.

"We want to hear from anyone that was there who saw any disturbance, particularly any incident on the stairs."

Police are urging witnesses, or anyone else who has information, to ring the confidental hotline number on (01642) 301333.