DETECTIVES hunting the brutal axe murderer of former Rossendale man Danny O'Brien are bringing in a Cracker-style psychologist to carry out a profile of the killer.

The senior psychologist will use evidence already gathered from the luxury house in Midgley, near Wakefield, to try to assess what kind of person would murder the 41-year-old businessman.

He was savagely attacked with an axe left embedded in his head.

The physcologist will be briefed by the man leading the hunt for the killer, Det Chf Supt Paul Johnston, who stressed it was only one of a number of lines being taken as the inquiry enters its second week.

"It's useful to hear views from all sides of the divide," said Mr Johnston. "It's then a question of taking these views and assessing them. That will take a very long time."

He admitted there could be a sexual element to the attack.

"When Danny's body was found he was naked," said Mr Johnston, speaking from outside the murder scene.

"That indicates there might be a sexual motive to this crime. I would emphasise the word might." Members of the public were asked about their movements as detectives tried to jog memories.

Mr Johnston said no-one had been ruled out of the murder inquiry yet. Forensic examination of the house was now complete enabling police to start investigating Mr O'Brien's personal records.

"Fortunately Danny appeared to be a very meticulous record-keeper. One cabinet was stuffed full of names and addresses which will save us a lot of time."

Mr O'Brien lived in Holme Terrace, Townsendfold, Rawtenstall, until three years ago and was a regular customer at the nearby Whitchaff Inn, Bury Road.

Neighbours remember him as a friendly out-going sort of man who would stop for a chat.

Mr O'Brien, a former shareholder with British Gas subsidiary Repair and Care Ltd, had been working from home since January after relinquishing a consultancy role with British Gas and had been considering a career change. It is believed he and his partner had been planning a move abroad. Anyone with information is asked to ring the murder incident room on 01924 293305/308.