MURDER squad detectives are searching for a metal bar and a blade after a father-of-five was killed while intervening in a fight between students in a Burnley park.

Police have drained the lake at Thompson Park following the alleged murder of Mohammed Shafiq, 50, from York Street, Nelson, who died at the Royal Blackburn Hospital last night.

Up to 50 people are thought to have been in the park at the time of the incident, which occurred during a violent confrontation between five to eight people.

Det Supt Mick Gradwell, of Lancashire Police, said: "Mr Shafiq's family are devastated and distraught with grief.

"We have a family liaison officer working with them and trying to do her best to provide what support we can to the family.

"There are no indications that this was race-related attack.

"It appears to be young people from the same culture who have fell out with each other over a relatively minor thing."

CCTV camera footage, from Burnley College, will be studied by detectives today, in a bid for clues.

Police are asking anyone who knows anything about the build-up to the incident, witnessed the fight or saw what happened in the immediate aftermath to contact Burnley police on 01282 425001.

Two people were taken to Burnley General Hospital for treatment to minor injuries in relation to the matter.

Police said that while there was a number of people in the park, at the time of the incident, the majority were onlookers and not directly involved with the violence.