Detectives investigating the murder of James Attfield are still trying to trace a couple seen sitting on a bench near to where the 33-year-old was found dying the following morning.

The couple were seen at 11.30pm on March 28. They were sitting at opposite ends of the bench, near a man who was sitting on the grass.

It is unknown whether they knew each other, but they may have been a couple who had an argument earlier in the evening and so were sitting apart, not talking to each other.

The man is white, of stocky build and has long legs while the woman is described as white.

DI Anne Cameron said: “It is crucial we trace this man and woman as they may have vital information which could help us piece together Jim’s last movements before he was so brutally stabbed in his home town and in a place he enjoyed to visit.

“We continue to work tirelessly around the clock to trace the person or people responsible for cutting Jim’s life short and robbing him of a future he was looking forward to.”

The couple on the bench, or anyone who might know who they are, is asked to contact detectives on 01245 282103 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Crimestoppers has offered a reward on £10,000 payable for information which leads to the conviction of the person or people responsible for Jim’s murder.