A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a 35-year-old man at a block of flats in the early hours of the morning.

Police were called to a property on Beacon Grove in Blackbrook at around 2.20am on Thursday following reports that a man had been assaulted.

Officers discovered the body of the 35-year-old man inside.

The man’s identity is yet to be confirmed and police are in the process of tracing his next of kin.

A 33-year-old St Helens man has been arrested and  is currently in police custody where he is being questioned by detectives.

The crime scene at Beacon Grove, Blackbrook was sealed off this morning as forensic teams pored over the crime scene and took photographs.

Officers stood guard at the entrance to the flats.

Neighbours, who said emergency services were called to the scene at about 2am on Thursday, told of their shock.

One told the Star: "Nothing like this happens around here. It is a quiet neighbourhood. It is a block of flats, where I think about six people, many of them elderly, live.

"We have been told a man has died and that soemone is in custody."

A police statement read: "Merseyside Police can confirm a man has been arrested following an incident in St Helens in the early hours of this morning (Thursday, 14 August).

"Officers were called to a house on Beacon Grove, at about 2.20am, following a report a man had been assaulted.

"On arrival, officers found the body of a 35-year-old man in the house. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

"Officers are in the process of confirming the man's identity and tracing his next of kin. A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish the cause of death.

"A 33-year-old man from St Helens has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He is currently in police custody where he is being questioned by detectives.

"The house has been cordoned off whilst forensic examinations are undertaken and officers are carrying out house-to-house enquiries in the local area.

"Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call St Helens CID on 0151 777 6811 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."