POLICE have launched an appeal in a bid to discover the identity of a man who died after collapsing in Darwen last night.

Detectives said the man, believed to be in his 50s, was walking along Bank Street just after 11.30pm and are keeping "an open mind" on what happened.

After finding the man slumped over a wall, paramedics fought to save him at the scene but he was pronounced dead on arrival at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Inspector Anne Scott: "We were called to the scene by paramedics and as yet have not been able to discover the man's identity. Our inquiry has been made more difficult as he was not carrying any identification.

"Early indications suggest he sustained a head injury but the cause of his death is unknown and at this stage we are keeping an open mind. More should become clear after a post mortem examination which we expect to be carried out later today."

The victim is described as white, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins inches, heavy build, with greying and receding hair and a close beard.

Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident should call Blackburn police on 01254 51212.