MURDER squad detectives today stepped up the hunt for the killer of alcoholic David Spencer who died after a "savage and sustained" beating.

A four-hour post mortem examination revealed 47-year-old Mr Spencer - known locally as Daft Dave - had "multiple injuries".

His partially burned body was discovered in the scorched upstairs front room of his Darwen terraced home, which he used as a living room.

Firefighters were called to the Clarence Street address at 5.15am yesterday by an anonymous caller, who has still not been traced.

Today Detective Chief Superintendent Bill Hacking said: "His injuries were consistent with a very savage and sustained assault.

"The fire followed after the assault. At this stage there doesn't seem to be any motive."

"There were no signs of a forced entry, so he may have known his assailant. His injuries were very severe, but it would not take long to inflict them in a savage attack.

"We would appeal to anyone with information to come forward or contact the incident room on Blackburn 51212."

Last night police officers were mounting house-to-house inquiries in the streets near to Mr Spencer's home.

Forensic officers were searching the address and surrounding area for clues. The victim was last seen around 10pm on Thursday night.

He is also known to have called into a nearby off-licence on the evening before his death.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Neil Smith said Mr Spencer was unemployed and had been receiving counselling for alcoholism.

He said Mr Spencer had become known to police after some "minor thefts". He added: "He had some family but didn't live with them. He had a few friends and associates."

Mr Spencer was known by many locals for his drinking habits.

Once he smashed a local shop when the sales assistant refused to serve him with alcohol on a Sunday afternoon because of licensing laws.

And he narrowly escaped death when he fell asleep in the middle of the busy A666 close to his home following a drinking binge. A woman driver from Darwen who spotted him asleep said: "He was in the middle of the centre lane of Blackburn Road at Hollins Grove.

"The road is pretty uneven and it was really hard to see him because he was in dark clothes.

"It was only when I was actually upon him in my car that I saw a body in the road and stopped."

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