A MAN found dead in Darwen has been named locally as Joseph Conroy.

Police are following several lines of inquiry after the man was found dead at his flat at around 1.15pm yesterday.

The 50-year-old man was discovered in his ground floor bedroom in Redearth Road by his flatmate.

Forensic experts spent over nine hours combing the property for clues yesterday.

And police forensic staff have again spent the day combing the ground-floor flat.

Det Supt Kevin O'Toole, who is leading the investigation, said: "At this early stage we are unable to say how this man has met his death but we are treating it as suspicious.

"We have a number of lines of inquiry to follow but we would appeal for anybody with information to contact us."

He added: "We are in the process of tracing the family of the deceased man and cannot release his identity until we have done that. Detectives and neighbourhood policing teams are in the local area and can be approached by anyone with information."

Contact Blackburn Police on 01254 51212.