POLICE investigating the murder of Eamonn McDonagh today stepped up the hunt for four youths who he had an argument with.

They carried out more door-to-door inquiries in the Infirmary Street and Abraham Street area of Blackburn in the hope of finding fresh information about the death of the 17-year-old.

He was found in a pool of blood behind the Moorings pub, off Lower Hollin Bank Street, Blackburn, at 6.15am on Wednesday.

It is believed he had been on a night out around Accrington and Blackburn with a friend on Tuesday. He returned to his caravan, on nearby wasteland to the Moorings, in the early hours, but then went out again with the friend.

In Infirmary Street or Abraham Street, they became involved in an argument with four youths and ran away. Eamonn became separated from his friend and police believe it is during this time which he received his injuries. The friend went to get help and Eamonn's mother, father and brother found him and took him to Blackburn Royal Infirmary but he later died. A post mortem examination confirmed he died of serious head injuries.

A 24-year-old local man was arrested on Wednesday but released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Eamonn and his parents, who live in Brothers Street, Mill Hill, are connected to the travelling community off Bolton Road, Ewood.