Tributes have been paid to a man found dead at a property in Mile Cross.

A murder investigation is continuing following the unexplained death of a man in Appleyard Crescent, Mile Cross.

Police had been called to the property at about 9.30pm on Friday, April 29, after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man.

The body of a man who has been named as Mark Franklin, 58, was found inside.

A Home Office post-mortem found the man died from serious head wounds and detectives are now treating his death as murder.

On Monday a single bouquet of flowers has been left outside the terraced house with the message: "RIP Mark, miss you loads".

A 69-year-old neighbour, who did not want to be named, told how following the death of her neighbour she was now looking after his cat.

She said: "I've got seven so one more is not going to make a huge difference."

She said of the neighbours she probably knows him better than most, having known him since he was a child.

The woman said he had never had a job and had "hoarded everything".

She said: "He had done since he was a kid in his shed."

She said he had a number of racing papers because he "used to bet on the horses".

A 29-year-old man, who lives near to the victim, but did not want to be named, said: "He was a lovely geezer.

"He was always out on his bike during the day.

"I'm sure it was electric. He was always out on his bike.

"During the day he was always sleeping but as soon as it got to early evening, he was out on his bike."

The neighbour's partner, 30, said the deceased was "ever so friendly" and a "nice guy" who lived on his own.

Paul Holmes, 55, a former police officer, said the man was "a bit of a recluse and a bit of a hoarder".

He said: "I would say 'morning' but he kept himself to himself really."

In terms of the events that led to his death, Mr Holmes said he was out on Friday night at a birthday party but returned to see police there.

He said: "As an ex-police officer I know exactly what is going on, but you don't expect it on your doorstep."

A 40-year-old woman, who lived near to the deceased, but wanted to remain anonymous, said it had all been a "big shock".

She said she never saw anyone going round to visit the man.

On Monday the scene was still cordoned off with forensic officers searching nearby bins for clues as to what happened.

A man in his 60s arrested in connection with the death has been released on bail until Friday, May 27, while investigations continue.

Both the Appleyard Crescent address, and another in Shipfield, remain cordoned off while officers work to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

Detectives are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen or heard any suspicious activity in the Appleyard Crescent area to come forward.

Anyone with any information should contact Norfolk Police on 101, quoting cad number 339 of Friday 29 April.