WITNESSES who have ignored police pleas to help solve a murder have been told to expect a knock on their doors this week.

Detectives have collected the names of people who were in Benson's Bar, Middlesbrough, on the night David Cutts sustained fatal injuries but who have failed to come forward.

The names were gleaned from revellers when detectives visited the club on Saturday - a week after the 49-year-old lost his life.

There were up to 150 customers in the upper room of the building, in the town's Linthorpe Road, when father-of-one Mr Cutts received "significant" injuries before he fell or was pushed down a flight of stairs.

He was admitted in a coma to Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital. His life support machine was switched off, a week ago yesterday.

Despite police appeals for help and a plea for information from Mr Cutts 72-year-old mother, Connie, Cleveland Police say they have only received a trickle of calls.

Inspector Paul Pickering said yesterday: "Detectives remain convinced many more who could hold vital evidence have ignored calls to get in touch."

Detective Sergeant Iain Henderson added: "We will continue to work to identify people who were at this club, late Saturday, early Sunday, and they will be seen.

"We are investigating the death of a man and everyone who was there has a duty to come forward and help in the matter."

Detectives have promised to treat information they receive in the strictest confidence.

They suspect that a reluctance to come forward may have been triggered by some people's concerns about keeping a liaison secret from a wife or partner.

Mr Cutts, who was estranged from his 46-year-old wife, Lorraine, had visited the Apple Tree and Red Rose pubs, both in Middlesbrough, before going to Benson's Bar.

A 21-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman arrested in connection with the murder, were last week released on police bail.

Anyone who can help Cleveland Police with the inquiry is asked to contact the murder incident room on (01642) 301333.