POLICE investigating the murder of a Southampton man have named him as 63-year-old William Manning.

Emergency teams rushed to a housing project flat in Cranbury Avenue near the city centre on Thursday after Mr Manning's body was discovered.

A post mortem examination revealed that Mr Manning died from series head injuries.

A 42-year-old man, a 47-year-old woman and a 27-year-old woman, all from the Southampton area, were arrested in connection with the murder.

They have all been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Over the weekend police cordons - blocking any cars from entering the short tree-lined street - were lifted, although forensic officers continued to work on the three-storey building, which contains flats owned by the Society of St James.

Society bosses revealed that the man had been living in a flat owned by their charity which helps the homeless for several years.

Society spokesman Trevor Pickup said: "We can confirm that we are responsible for the housing of Mr Manning.

"The flat where he had lived for a number of years is part of a housing project for homeless people in the city.

"I didn't know him well but I had met him at a few Society functions and he seemed like a friendly and chatty man."

Officers are appealing for witnesses who may have seen Mr Manning in the Cranbury Avenue area between 12pm and 2pm on Thursday.

Anyone with information should call the Major Crime team at Hulse Road on 0845 045 4545 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.