DETECTIVES were due to question another man today in connection with the murder of part-time doorman Raymond Hampson.

Two other men from Accrington have been released without charge after being quizzed at Accrington police station yesterday.

Acting Detective Inspector Joe Kellett said: "The man from Accrington has been arrested and will be questioned later today. Our inquiries are continuing and we expect to question several more people."

A taxi driver seen giving a lift to a man after the fatal attack outside the Bees Knees pub, Accrington, has come forward and is now helping police

Mr Hampson's boss had a drink with him only hours before he died after being kicked and punched in the head by a gang of men on Saturday night.

Brian Capstick runs Accrington-based Eagle Security which provides a doorman service for pubs in the town.

He had met Mr Hampson for a drink in the Bees Knees pub, Accrington, where the murdered father-of-seven worked as a doorman on Friday and Sunday nights. Mr Capstick said: "I was with him only hours before the attack and he was quite happy enjoying a drink.

"The first I knew about what had happened was when I got a telephone call. I went to the hospital to see him, but it was too late."

Mr Hampson, 39, of Slaidburn Drive, Accrington, had not been working on the night of the attack.

After his boss left, Mr Hampson carried on drinking in the pub with a friend.

The vicious assault took place as the two men got in a fight with a group of men when they left the pub. Mr Hampson's friend was not injured in the attack.

Mr Hampson had worked for Eagle Security for three years and during that time had also been a doorman at the Arcade Bar in the town centre.

Mr Hampson also worked as a fork-lift truck driver. He was separated and had lived with his girlfriend, Elaine Radcliffe, in Accrington for 12 months.

His seven children from previous relationships are aged between 12 months and 21 years old.

His 63-year-old mother, Elizabeth Martin, and sister Susan Martin, 37, live in Haslingden, while his other sister, Christine Quelch, lives in Rawtenstall.

An inquest was opened yesterday by coroner Andre Rebello and adjourned until January 13.

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