A MURDER inquiry has today been launched after a 32-year-old man collapsed and died following a fight in Fawley yesterday evening.

He was assaulted after leaving The Falcon Hotel in The Square with a 29-year-old man sometime between 9pm and 10pm.

The pair were returning to The Garonne cargo ship, docked in Fawley, where they had been working.

They were confronted and assaulted by a group of people aged in their early to late teens in Church Lane.

A member of the public broke up the fight and took the 32-year-old man to gate two at the end of Marsh Lane, Fawley, where he collapsed and died.

Detective Superintendent Alan Betts said: "I would like to appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident outside The Falcon Hotel on Saturday night to come forward.

"I would also like to speak to anyone who was in the square or the Church Lane area between 9pm and 10pm last night.

"If you were part of the group who were involved in the altercation I would urge you to come forward and speak to the police."

A post mortem is due to take place today.

A 14-year-old boy and two 17-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently helping police with their investigation.

Anyone with any information should contact the Operation Razvan incident room on 0845 045 4545 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.