A 25-YEAR-OLD man arrested on suspicion of the murder of Bury father-of-four Robert Johnston has been released on police bail.

He was detained last Thursday at his home in the Halliwell area of Bolton following a call from a member of the public. The suspect has been released until December 20, pending further inquiries.

Mr Johnston, who moved from Holme Avenue, Brandlesholme, Bury, to Breightmet earlier this year, was killed following a night out with his best friend, Darren O'Donaghue, also from Bury. They had been in Bolton town centre celebrating Mr Johnstons 39th birthday.

A motorist who drove past the scene of the attack could now hold a vital clue in the hunt for the killer.

Detectives are keen to trace the driver of a light-coloured Peugeot 106, which had a sunroof, seen travelling down Saville Street, Bolton, before and during the assault.

Mr Johnston and Mr O'Donaghue got into an argument with two men at around 2.45am on Saturday, October 16, as they walked home.

Mr Johnston was repeatedly kicked and stamped on in the attack and died eight hours later in hospital. Mr O'Donaghue was also injured but refused hospital treatment.

Detectives distributed posters and appealed for help from drinkers in Bradshawgate on Friday night, a week on from the murder. They also showed CCTV images of two men seen running away from Saville Street at about the time of the murder and on to Bradshawgate, towards the town centre, at around 2.45am on the night of the murder.

Detective Superintendent Martin Bottomley, who is leading the murder inquiry, said: "We know the driver of the white Peugeot was in the area before the attack and drove past the scene as Rob was being murdered. I would appeal to that person to come forward and tell us what you saw.

"The message is still we need to speak to anybody who recognises the CCTV images of the two men seen in the area."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the murder incident room on 0161 856 5965.The first man had muscular shoulders and short hair and was wearing a stripped tops. The second man was wearing a dark top with a light or white coloured logo on the front and light coloured trainers.