TWO men have been detained on suspicion of murdering Sebastian Zuchlinski - and further five arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Mr Zuchlinski was hacked to death in Davenport Street, Bolton, by a machete-wielding gang of thugs dressed in dark clothing shortly after 10pm on Saturday.

Greater Manchester Police arrested two men aged 37 and 28 at an address in Broughton, Salford, on suspicion of murder this morning.

The pair are the second and third men held over killing the 39-year-old.

Witnesses to Saturday's horrific scene saw the attackers chopping at Mr Zuchlinski's arms and legs, severing one of his fingers.

They only stopped and ran off when a passing driver came across the commotion and honked her horn at them.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Mr Zuchlinski was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

The post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death was multiple stab wounds.

Floral tributes, candles and a framed photograph were later laid near the spot where he was attacked.

Mr Zuchlinski, who was known as an amateur cage fighter, had been at his partner Ewa Bubrowska's house round the corner in Vernon Street before the attack. She has a five-year-old daughter who Mr Zuchlinski helped raise.

Besides the two new arrests on suspicion of murder, three other men - aged 22, 36 and 30 - and a 21-year-old woman were arrested at the same property in Broughton on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Meanwhile, a 19-year-old woman was arrested yesterday at a home in Farnworth on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All of the seven new suspects remain in custody for questioning.

It brings to eight the total number of suspects in the murder probe.

The first, a 29-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of murder the day after the attack. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Crewe of the Greater Manchester Police Major Incident Team said: “Our thoughts remain with Sebastian’s loved ones at this tough time and we have got specially trained officers continuing to provide them with support.

"We have made a number of further arrests in connection with this murder and currently have seven people in custody which brings the total number of arrests to eight.

“I know this is quite a significant number but our investigation very much remains active and I would like to urge anybody with information to please contact the police."

Mr Zuchlinkski's friend Beata Rogala, who had known him for four years, has set up an online just giving page with a £2,000 target.

The majority of the sum, £1,200, will be used to fly Mr Zuchlinski’s body home and the remainder will go towards funeral costs.

Mr Zuchlinski had an ex-wife and three children in his native Poland.

Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 9775 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.