DETECTIVES have this afternoon launched a murder hunt after a father-of-six was found dead with unexplained injuries outside his home.

The body of Mark Edward Winspear was found outside the flat where he was staying with his friend in the early morning yesterday (mon).

Police were called to Inverness Road, on the Owton Manor Estate in Hartlepool, at about 6.30am after receiving reports that a man was lying on the path.

Mr Winspear, known as Winny, was pronounced dead soon afterwards, and his friend, Philip (Goofy) Winship was arrested on suspicion of his murder a little later.

It is believed Mr Winship has lived in the first floor flat for some time, and Mr Winspear stayed with him from time to time.

A postmortem was carried out on the deceased father yesterday afternoon in a bid to ascertain how he died.

And Mr Winship, 37, was still in custody at Hartlepool Police station helping detectives with their enquiries last night.

Yesterday, forensic officers erected a blue tent around the front entrance to the flat, which totally concealed the garden area where Mr Winspear was found.

The surrounding area was cordoned off and police remained on site to protect the scene.

However, neighbours were at a loss as to what had happened.

Bill Collier, 60, lives directly next door to Mr Winship and said he heard shouting at about 2.15am yesterday.

"All I heard was someone shouting 'Goofy, Goofy'. I think it was the guy who died," said Mr Collier.

"He had already been in Goofy's house, but Goofy had chucked him out, so he stood outside in the pouring rain shouting him.

"I think Goofy just ignored him and then it went quiet. I presumed he had gone home."

But yesterday morning, Mr Collier said he awoke to find the area a hive of police activity.

"I had never seen this guy before, but Goofy is a harmless alcoholic," he added.

"I think this guy will have slipped over and banged his head, or he could have just laid down and gone to sleep."

And neighbour Michael Cairns (pictured) said he was woken up yesterday to be told the incorrect news that his good friend Goofy had died.

The 52-year-old said: "I was in shock. Goofy comes here every morning for coffee and I couldn't believe he had died.

"However, minutes later there was a knock on the door and Goofy was standing in front of me. I thought I was seeing things. I said '**** me, Goofy, I thought you were dead'.

"He explained that it was Winny who had died, but I never got to find out what happened because Goofy was arrested on suspicion of murder soon afterwards and was taken away."

And he added: "Goofy is harmless - he likes his drink. I think it must have been an accident. Goofy wouldn;'t have done anything."

Anyone with information about what happened, should call CID on 01642-302126.