POLICE were last night questioning six men on suspicion of murder following the death of an alcoholic.

John Clarkson died on Sunday afternoon after spending eight days in hospital following a street attack.

The 45-year-old was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire with serious head injuries after the incident in the Snowhill area of Shelton on Saturday, March 6.

Mr Clarkson had been walking alone when he was knocked to the ground by four or five people at around 11.30pm.

A vehicle, which is yet to be identified, pulled up by the pedestrian crossing and its occupants got out and went over to help Mr Clarkson who was by the telephone kiosks.

Police say a number of other vehicles also stopped at the same time.

A 24-year-old man was arrested yesterday morning and five other men were taken in for questioning last night.

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm six men have been arrested in connection with the incident and are being questioned by detectives at the Northern Area Custody Facility at Etruria.

"We are keen to trace the occupant or occupants of a vehicle who came to the aid of Mr Clarkson."

Mr Clarkson, who had been living at The Flowerpot Hotel in Shelton, regularly appeared before North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court for drink-related offences.

He was known as "Elvis" because he used to sing Presley songs when he was drunk.

A postmortem carried out yesterday confirmed Mr Clarkson died from injuries he suffered as a result of an assault.

An inquest into his death is expected to be opened later this week.

Ramazan Ozturk,aged 18, who works in his father's shop the Hayat Supermarket, opposite The Flowerpot Hotel in Snowhill, said: "I knew who he (Mr Clarkson) was. He was usually very drunk. He would come into the shop sometimes.

"He was always drunk but he didn't cause any trouble.

"He would just get what he wanted and go. He didn't really chat.

"We would have been closing when the assault happened but we didn't see or hear anything."

John Murray, aged 58, who is staying at The Flowerpot Hotel, said: "I knew who he was. I think most people here did but he hadn't been staying here for long.

"He seemed OK. He was usually very drunk but I never saw him being really aggressive."

Anyone with information about the assault should call Detective Inspector Darren Harding on 0300 123 44 55 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.