Appeal after fatal street attack

Mr Buckley died a week after he was attacked

Detectives are appealing for anyone who saw a fight in which a 47-year-old man died, to come forward.

Frank Buckley, a building contractor, was fatally injured in the incident on Chorley Road, Swinton, in the early hours of Sunday 14 March.

He had been out with a group of friends and family when they were targeted by a gang of between six and 12 men.

Police say Mr Buckley bore the brunt of the attack, with one of the gang repeatedly stamping on his head.

Mr Buckley had been to a restaurant with friends and family on Saturday night, before the group went for a drink in Yates' Wine Lodge.

What started out as a family celebration ended in tragedy as Frank was beaten to death in front of three generations of his family Detective Chief Inspector Russ Jackson

When a scuffle broke out inside the bar, several members of the group were injured, so they left and walked across Fountain Square to wait for taxis.

At about 0045 GMT, in what police say was an "unprovoked" attack, a gang of men launched themselves on the group, hitting both men and women.

Mr Buckley was taken to Hope Hospital, but died a week later from his injuries.

His wife, Christine, 42, has paid tribute to her husband, saying he was "a loving husband, father of two lovely boys and hard-working".

'Mindless attack'

Detective Chief Inspector Russ Jackson, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We believe the attack may to linked to the earlier incident inside the wine bar, which is why we need to speak to anyone who was in Yates' a week last Saturday.

"What started out as a family celebration ended in tragedy as Frank was beaten to death in front of three generations of his family, including his wife and 19-year-old son.

"Frank wasn't looking for trouble, only trying to enjoy time with his family on an occasion that should have been remembered as a happy memory, it certainly shouldn't have been the night he died in a mindless attack."