THE sister of murdered father-of-seven Raymond Hampson today made a desperate plea: "Help catch my brother's vicious killers."

Part-time doorman Mr Hampson, 39, died after being kicked and punched in the head in a violent attack by a gang of men outside the Bee's Knees pub in Accrington town centre.

Christine Quelch, 36, of Rawtenstall, said: "This was a vicious attack on our brother and we want justice and his vicious killers caught.

"They have not just killed him. They have killed all the family and left his seven children without a father.

"Please can anyone who knows anything call the police now."

Mr Hampson's 63-year-old mother Elizabeth Martin and her other daughter, Susan Martin, are trying to come to terms with the death at their homes in Haslingden.

The fork-lift truck driver was separated and lived in Slaidburn Drive, Accrington, with his girlfriend, Elaine Radcliffe. His seven children from previous relationships were aged between 12 months and 21 years old.

The family's emotional plea comes as detectives were today sifting through town centre CCTV footage to piece together Mr Hampson's last hours.

Acting Detective Superintendent Paul Buschini said the cameras had filmed the men involved in the attack when they were involved in another incident earlier in the night.

He said: "We are also looking at video from the Bee's Knees pub." Police now believe Mr Hampson and his friend became involved in a fight with between five and 10 men after leaving the pub.

Several of the men are thought to have been in the pub before the attack, as well as visiting other pubs in the town during the night.

Police are also trying to trace a taxi driver who picked up a man and three woman in a maroon cab in the Willow Street area shortly after the assault.

Two men from the Accrington area have been arrested and they were due to be quizzed today.

A third man arrested on Sunday has been released without charge after questioning.

Floral tributes have been laid where the attack took place.

Anyone with information about the murder should contact the incident room on 01254 382141.

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