DETECTIVES hunting the killer of a businessman in Chester have dismissed rumours that a city centre doorman was behind the murder.

Chester CID ­ who have revisited the scene of the attack on William Reginald Ney, which led to his death ­ say the rumours are 'unhelpful and untrue'.

Mr Ney, known as Bill, died five days after being attacked outside Brannigans nightspot at the corner of Foregate Street and Love Street.

He was visiting Chester with his cousin Gary Sharp and seven other people last Saturday.

The group went to Chester before going to Brannigans to watch the England v Germany football match.

Mr Ney, of New Mills in Derbyshire, then left the bar to call for a taxi.

Minutes later, he was being taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital with serious head injuries.

He was immediately transferred to Fazakerley Hospital in Liverpool, where he died four nights later.

Ever since Mr Ney was attacked, rumours have been circulating around the city that his assailant was a doorman.

But Cheshire Constabulary spokeswoman Brenda Cowling said such gossip was not helpful.

She added: 'We know that before Mr Ney went out of Brannigans to make his phone call, he had shaken hands with the bouncers there to thank them for a good evening.

'That's the total involvement of any bouncer in this inquiry.

'In the course of this investigation, we have interviewed the bouncers present, of course, but only as a matter of routine.

'Maybe that's where the rumours started from. But no bouncers are involved.

'Mr Ney's assailant was not inside but outside Brannigans that evening, which is where he attacked Mr Ney. He was also casually dressed.'

One week after the attack on Mr Ney, Chester CID revisited the spot he was assaulted.

They were in Love Street between 8-9pm on Saturday. Both uniform officers and the CID were asking passing members of the public and night-time revellers for any information that might be of help to the inquiry.

Officers also handed out posters and questionnaires to passers-by in the hope that any people who were in the city the previous week around the time of the brutal attack on Mr Ney will come forward with additional information.

Detective Chief Inspector John Armstrong, the senior investigating officer, said: 'By having a police presence in the Love Street area of Chester on Saturday, at the time that the assault took place, we hoped to jog people's memories and gain further information.

'The smallest detail in a murder investigation can provide vital evidence that may lead to arrest and conviction.'

He said Mr Ney died at a time when hundreds of people were out in Chester.

DI Armstrong added: 'We are appealing for anyone who was in the city centre last Saturday, at about 8.30pm, who may have information concerning the murder of Mr Ney, to phone Chester police on 01244 615524 or 613135.'