A MURDER suspect remained in police custody last night as the family of dead Burnley man Andrew Hayes paid tribute to ‘a loving gentle soul’.

Mr Hayes, 37, was found collapsed in Lyndhurst Road, Brunshaw, and died seven hours later after being taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.

A 29-year-old man, of no fixed address and arrested on suspicion of murder, continued to help Lancashire police with their enquiries yesterday.

Mr Hayes, of Cedar Street, Burnley, is believed to have been attacked outside the Moneysave Convenience Store at around 7.40pm on Wednesday.

Staff at the shop, at the junction of Lyndhurst Road and Mizpah Street, said Mr Hayes was punched three times during an incident.

Mehwisha Saad, who runs the business with her husband Muhammed, said Mr Hayes appeared to recover from the assault but was then found on the ground by a police officer.

He died at Royal Preston Hospital as a result of his serious head injuries at around 3am the following day.

A statement released by police on behalf of his family said: “Andrew was a loving gentle soul, the type of man who wouldn’t hurt a fly, would always stop for a chat, wave and smile.

“He was polite, quiet and everyone’s friend. He will be sadly missed and always loved.”

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Simm, from Lancashire police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said no weapons were found at the scene and reiterated an appeal for witnesses.

Anyone with information should contact Lancashire Police on 101.