SHOCKED residents last night paid tribute to tragic Mark Carroll — who died following a disturbance in Farnworth — and said the area was becoming a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

An 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter has been bailed until January 18 and detectives probing the death are still awaiting results of a post mortem examination.

Friends and neighbours described Mr Carroll as a "a nice guy" and spoke of their devastation at his death.

The 43-year-old was found barely concious on Burnham Walk by police in the early hours of Saturday.

He was taken to hospital but died a short while later.

Dayle Bessell, aged 21, of Burnham Walk, knew Mr Carroll as a neighbour.

He said there was a good community spirit on the street and the events of Saturday night came out of the blue.

Mr Bessell said: “I used to talk to him a lot, and his girlfriend Lisa.

“He was a nice guy, always talking, always nice to everyone.

"Last time I spoke to him properly was bonfire night.

“I didn’t believe it at first. He was a very nice guy who wouldn’t do anything to anyone.

“This is normally quite a quiet place, there’s always kids running about and stuff but it usually goes quiet after 10pm.”

A resident of Arncliff Close described the area as a "close neighbourhood" that never saw any real trouble.

He added: “Everyone gets on, they are all cracking neighbours.

“I was shocked when I heard what happened.

“All the neighbours are great and there’s never any problems.”

But some residents living close to the incident say the area has become a magnet for trouble and become run down in recent years.

One resident of Leyburn Close said the area had become prone to anti-social behaviour which was damaging the community.

He said: “This estate is a mess compared to how it was.

“I moved here in the 1980s and it was a beautiful estate but the council don’t cut the bushes back and no one cares for their properties.

“I’ve heard it all before, people shouting and arguing in the street. At one time I would open my window and shout but I don’t now because I don’t want the repercussion.”

Farnworth councillor Noel Spencer said the death of Mr Carroll was an “absolute tragedy” and said the community has worked hard in recent years to combat anti-social behaviour.

He said: “My deepest sympathies go out to Mr Carroll’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

He added: “It has been a priority for us for some time to bring down the level of anti-social behaviour in Farnworth and we are doing that by working closely with the police, council and local community.

“We have worked hard to make sure incidents like this don’t happen and things have been going okay, but obviously this has now happened and it is very sad to hear.

“If this has resulted from anti-social behaviour then we completely condemn it.”

Tributes to Mr Carroll were also paid on The Bolton News Facebook page.

Zena Gledhill said: "Another school friend. RIP Mark. So sad — thoughts to all his family and friends at this sad time."