SEVEN people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man died under suspicious circumstances in Bolton.

Police were called by the ambulance service to a block of flats in Brownlow Way, shortly before 12.20am on Sunday.

A man in his 30s was in a critical condition and later died.

Officers believe there was a disturbance in the building with a group of people earlier in the morning, during which the man was assaulted.

Four men aged 43, 45, 46 and 58, and three women aged 36, 50 and 53 have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody for questioning.

Police enquiries into the full circumstances are ongoing.

Det Chief Insp Jamie Daniels of Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, said: "Although we have seven people in custody, we are still in the early stages of our investigation into how this man has died.

"Specially trained officers are now giving the man’s family the support they need at this difficult time and my thoughts are with them.

"While we believe there’s no risk to the wider community, it’s vital that we hear from people who live in the area and heard a disturbance towards the end of last night or the early hours of this morning."

Residents described seeing lots of police activity in the early hours of Sunday morning.

One resident said: "When I went into the shop this morning CID were there."

Speaking anonymously, one woman said: "There were lots of police around at 5.30am. A police car has been there all day."

A resident living in Barnwood Close said: "I was awake until about 3am. I heard a woman shouting and screaming her head off, saying 'help, help'.

"I was not sure where it was coming from. We live in Halliwell - you never know what is going on.

"There are always police around. I am scared of walking to the shops."

Barney Brooks, supervisor at McColl's in Brownlow Way, said the police had been to take a statement from his manager and asked for CCTV footage.

He said: "My manager said the police thought there had been a murder.

"They wanted to see if they could see anything on our CCTV.

"A lot of people have been coming into the shop and asking why the police are here but no one knows.

"There is always police activity in those flats."

Anyone with information should call the investigative team on 0161 856 4357, quoting incident number 52 of today, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.