SIX people were due to appear in court today accused of murder after a security guard died following an incident in his home.

The charges came as the devastated relatives of father-of-five Raja Abdul Qayyum, 62, fought back tears as they paid tribute to the loving family man.

Police said Mr Qayyum, 62, died after an attack at his house in Halifax Road, Brierfield, at 4pm on Saturday.

A security officer at Abbey National in Burnley, Mr Qayyum was taken to Burnley General Hospital after his wife raised the alarm.

Mazamal Hussain, Sanawar Begum, Shamshar Ali and Tamzar Ali, also from Halifax Road, and Mazahr Akhlaq and Raja Naseem Khadim from a third address in Halifax Road were arrested and were due to appear before Burnley Magistrates today charged with murder. The six are all members of the same family.

Nephew Labib Arshid, 28, of Hill Street, Brierfield, paid tribute to his uncle today.

He said: "The whole family and all of Raja's friends are in total shock at the moment. We can't believe we have lost such a great man, who would have done anything for anybody.

"He was a role model and an inspiration to all - a hard worker, a real family man and a friend to everybody, somebody that can never be replaced.

"Nobody could have wished this upon a man who didn't have a bad bone in his body. He didn't deserve to die like this."

Raja was a leading member of the community who had many friends, his family said.

The family was moved while police carried out forensic science tests on their home.

An incident room was set up at Burnley Police Station and the investigating team is being led by Det Supt Paul Buschini of the Senior Investigating Officers Team from Lancashire Police HQ.

DS Buschini said: "We would like to hear from anyone in the vicinity of the address at the time of the incident."

Anyone with information should contact Burnley Police on 01282 425001.