A man has died in hospital after apparently being seriously assaulted on a night out in Leicester city centre.

Martin Simpson, 59, suffered serious head injuries and was found lying unconscious and bleeding by a passer-by in Albion Street.

The grandfather was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary in the early hours of Saturday morning, but he died shortly afterwards from his injuries.

Mr Simpson, who had four children, had been seen in a number of pubs in the city on Friday night prior to his death.

'Happy-go-lucky'

A major police inquiry has been launched and the police are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen Mr Simpson prior to his death.

A post-mortem examination carried out by a Home Office pathologist revealed he had suffered severe head injuries and police said early indications are that Mr Simpson was the victim of an assault.

His family said in a statement: "He was a very happy-go-lucky person who lived for the moment.

"Although he was a private person he was very sociable and enjoyed going out.

CCTV footage

"If anyone has any information that could help the police we would be grateful if they could contact them."

Police believe Mr Simpson had been in Yates wine bar on Belvoir Street and the Last Plantaganet in Granby Street during the course of Friday evening and they believe he may have visited other pubs.

A team of forensic officers searched the area where he was found and police were conducting house-to-house inquiries in the area on Monday.

Officers were also visiting shops and businesses to ask for any CCTV footage which might show events leading to his death.