NEIGHBOURS have told how they were woken late last night by piercing screams coming from the house where a man was stabbed to death.

Shocked residents in Appledore, Great Hollands, were woken just before midnight and told the News how police arrived at the house with a battering ram and took it upstairs. A police helicopter was scrambled to the scene and this morning forensics experts were still combing the terraced home in search for evidence.

Officers were called to the house by ambulance crews at 11.25pm after they discovered a man in his twenties with a stab wound to his chest. Despite treatment at the scene, he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Two men, aged 42 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.

Neighbours say the house was rented out on a room-by-room basis and was often the scene of loud parties, with regular comings and goings. All of the tenants are believed to be young men and possibly Polish or eastern European.

One resident said: "I heard a man wailing outside. It was going on for about 10 minutes and the dog wouldn't stop barking. That's what made us wake up and then just after the police and ambulance arrived. "It's quite frightening and shocking - I've only lived here since May but it's just not something that usually happens and you don't expect it in your street.

"The neighbours are all really nice people, and at least it does make you feel a little more at ease in the fact that the police don't think it's a random attack." DCI Vince Grey added: “The investigation is still in an early stage, however we do have two men in custody and a number of enquiries are under way.

“I would like to reassure residents that a full investigation is taking place and incidents such as this are rare in Bracknell. We also believe the victim knew his attackers and this was not a stranger attack.” Witnesses should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.