A MURDER investigation has been launched in Blackpool after a 33-year-old man was stabbed to death yesterday.

Emergency services were called to Cromwell Road at 4.30pm, where he was treated by paramedics.

He was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

Police believe he was stabbed following an altercation in Bedford Road, but managed to raise the alarm at a shop in Cromwell Road.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out later today and police are still trying to trace the man's next of kin.

A 37-year-old man from Blackpool has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody.

A 41-year-old man and two women aged 26 and 34, all from Blackpool, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and are in custody.

Detective Superintendent Neil Esseen said: "A major investigation has been launched and I have a team of detectives working to establish the exact circumstances around this incident.

"However, one of our main priorities at this time is to trace this man's next of kin.

"At this stage we believe an altercation has taken place on Bedford Road which has resulted in the man being stabbed.

"He has then managed to make his way to a convenience store on Cromwell Road where the alarm has been raised.

"I would appeal to anybody who was in the Bedford/Cromwell Road area around the time of the incident who may have witnessed the altercation or noticed any suspicious activity whatsoever to contact police."

Anybody with any information is asked to call police on 08451 25 35 45 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.