Police are checking CCTV film for a sighting of a suspect in the New Year's Day murder of John Wells.

They hope cameras in the Sandyford area of Newcastle will have caught the man seen by a witness to the attack on the ex-postman.

Det Supt Steve Bolam, heading the inquiry, said: "We are grateful for the response to yesterday's appeal for information about a man seen confronting an older man, believed to be John.

"There have been a number of calls giving names. I would repeat that appeal and ask anyone who knows the man, or who saw him in the Sandyford area that night, to contact the murder incident room."

Mr Wells, aged 55, of Doncaster Road, was stabbed in the neck while going home after buying bottles of beer at a nearby pub. He collapsed in Goldspink Lane.

Yesterday the Chronicle revealed a witness saw a confrontation in which Mr Wells looked as if he was being mugged. The attacker is white in his late teens. He wore a cream checked baseball cap, dark jeans, shiny padded jacket and light-coloured footwear.

Anyone with information can call police on (0191) 214 6555 ext 62833.