UPDATE: A murder inquiry was launched after a man's body was found at a play area.

The discovery was made by a dog walker at Heywood's Adventure Playground, off High Street, Great Lever, early yesterday.

The body of Safar Khan, a 19-year-old college student, was lying on an artificial football pitch.

A post-mortem examination is today expected to confirm that he suffered severe head injuries during a brutal attack.

Last night detectives were questioning an 18-year-old youth and a 15-year-old boy after arresting them yesterday afternoon on suspicion of murder.

The area where Mr Khan's body was found was sealed off after police were called at 7.20am.

Scenes of crime officers in white protective suits spent much of the day combing the artificial grass pitch and the surrounding land. Mr Khan's body was shielded by a white tent.

The park is a well-known meeting place for local youths and group of Mr Khan's friends said they saw him there on Sunday evening.

Mr Khan, who worked as a part-time waiter, was the cousin of Rabid Amin, aged 25, who was stabbed to death in Bradshawgate after a late-night row in November last year.

Mr Khan's family - who live in Roxalina Street, less than a quarter-of-a-mile from the murder scene - were last night too upset to speak about the tragedy.

But a colleague at the Pavilion Restaurant in Blackburn Road where he worked paid tribute.

He said: "Safar was a nice lad and was working here last Saturday when he was laughing and joking with staff. He was a young lad and a hard worker. This comes as a terrible shock."

The park is expected to remain sealed off while forensics officers carry out a painstaking fingertip search for clues.

Chief Supt Dave Lea, head of Bolton police, said: "I would like to thank the community for the help they have given us in helping officers to progress this case.

"There will be extra officers in the area in the comings days to protect the scene as the investigation continues, and to reassure the community."

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 5740 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.