POLICE have launched a murder investigation after a man died from stab wounds following an incident in West Kirby last night.

Police were called to a house in Paton Close just before 9.40pm, following reports that a man had been assaulted.

On arrival they found 43-year-old John Britton with stab wounds. He was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital by paramedics and pronounced dead a short time later.

It is believed he had been stabbed several times on the doorstep after answering the front door.

Police say at this stage, the motive for the incident is unclear and detectives are working to establish the full circumstances.

A 38-year-old man from Birkenhead was arrested on suspicion of murder earlier this morning in connection with the incident.

He has been taken to a police station on Merseyside where he is being questioned.
 

DI Mark Tivendale said: "Officers worked through the night to trace his family and they are understandably devastated at this awful news that their loved one has died and in such a terrible way.

"We have a family liaison officer who is in constant contact with them and there to provide support to them whenever they need it.

"By all accounts Mr Britton was a friendly, well-known local man and we having to keep an open mind when we are exploring why he might have been attacked like this.

"I can understand how shocked people locally will be right now.

"The area is a very quiet neighbourhood so to suddenly have lots of police officers and the paramedics there late at night will have been alarming.

"People will be seeing a visible police presence on the streets and I would encourage anyone who is concerned in any way to please feel free to approach those officers who will be more than happy to speak to them and help them.
 

"I would like to reassure people that we do have a man in custody who will be questioned about the incident and that the large numbers of police officers in the area last night and today was to progress the investigation as thoroughly as possible.

"I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw a white men, around 6ft tall in height, dressed in dark coloured clothing and possibly carrying a light coloured sports bag or ruck sack who may have been in the Paton Close or Gilroy Rd area at around 9.30pm last night.
 

"If you are that person or you are someone who saw someone like that, I would urge you to please make yourself known to the police by calling my officers at Wirral CID on 0151 777 2265.

"Your information, however trivial it might seem, could actually be important to this murder investigation."