THREE men being questioned by detectives investigating the murder of Burnley man Iain McKay have been released.

Two were freed without charge and the other released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The three men, all in their twenties, were arrested at houses in the Burnley and Padiham area early on Tuesday.

They were questioned at Burnley police station and released late yesterday afternoon.

Police also carried out searches of houses in Brunswick Street and Reed Street, finding items including an axe and machete, black balaclava helmets and suspected drugs.

The body of 31-year-old Mr McKay was found at the entrance in an isolated car park off Netherwood Road, Burnley, in the early hours of Sunday, October 1.

He had been blasted in the head with a shotgun.

One man has previously been charged with murder and remanded in custody. Two other people have been charged with perverting the course of justice.