A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a Bracknell man in Chelmsford.

Essex Police were called by the ambulance service at 11.56pm last night as paramedics were treating a man who had been assaulted following an incident outside Broomfield Parish Hall.

The 55-year-old from Bracknell was unconscious and died at the scene shortly after midnight.

A woman had also been assaulted shortly before and had been taken to hospital where she was being treated for a suspected broken nose.

The suspect fled the scene and a 24-year-old man from Chelmsford was later arrested on suspicion of murder and assaulting the woman at around 2am this morning.

He is being questioned by detectives.

DI Steve Ellis, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “The murder victim, assault victim and suspect were all attending a private party being held inside Broomfield Parish Hall in Main Road.

"Both assaults happened outside the hall in the car park area.

“Our enquiries are continuing today and I would urge anybody with any information about the incident who has not already spoken to officers to contact us.”

A cordon has been put in place at the scene whilst forensic examinations are carried out.

A post mortem examination will take place.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.