THE family of a Wirral dad who was found dead near New Brighton Promenade have made an emotional plea for witnesses to come forward.

Mark Christopher Reissing, from Wallasey, was discovered in an alleyway close to the seafront at Egremont at around 5.50am on Tuesday after a dog walker raised the alarm.

A 37-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man were later arrested on suspicion of murder. The woman has now been bailed pending further enquiries.

But his family have asked for the public’s help in finding out what happened to 48-year-old Mr Reissing.

In a statement released through Merseyside Police, they said: “Sometime between Monday, July 8 and Tuesday, July 9 our brother Mark was brutally murdered. He was then callously dumped in a side alley near to Egremont Promenade, where he died of his injuries.

“Nobody's dad, son, brother or uncle deserves such a horrific death. If anyone has any information, no matter how trivial it may seem, please contact Merseyside Police to help apprehend the perpetrator or perpetrators."

Preliminary results of a Home Office post-mortem examination show the father-of-one died from multiple injuries.

House-to-house inquiries are being carried out and CCTV footage is being examined.

Anyone with information should contact detectives on 0151 777 2265 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

It has emerged Merseyside Police has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as officers had been in contact with the  victim the day before his death.

A statement said: "Merseyside Police can confirm that officers twice attended an address on Trafalgar Road, during the evening of Monday, July 8, following reports of domestic related incidents.

"Due to this prior police contact with the victim (on one occasion), as per normal procedure, the force has referred the matter to the IPCC."