Two men and two women are being questioned by murder squad detectives over the killing of a 39-year-old man in Bradford.

The man was found dead in Holme Top Lane, a row of terraced houses in Little Horton. People in the area said they believed he had been stabbed to death.

Police were not releasing details of the dead man's identity until relatives had been informed.

The men, aged 42 and 23, and the women, aged 39 and 27, were arrested after officers were called to the scene. They were taken to an undisclosed police station for questioning.

Police cordoned off the road, facing St Luke's Hospital, from the dilapidated Gardeners Arms pub down to and including part of the junction with Hampden Place.

Police vans blocked either end of the cordon while officers were drafted in to take up positions at either end of the street. The incident is being investigated by the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team of West Yorkshire Police.

A forensic post-mortem examination was due to take place this afternoon to determine the precise cause of the man's death.

Ward councillor and Labour group leader Ian Greenwood (Little Horton) said the man's death was a tragedy, particularly at this time of year.

He said: "Obviously I am deeply sad to hear of a death in Holme Top Lane. At this moment in time I do not know if it is suspicious or otherwise but it is a tragedy particularly at this time of year when we are all looking forward to a season of hope."

Councillor Naveeda Ikram (Lab, Little Horton) said: "It is a very sad time especially because it is so near Eid and Christmas. My heart goes out to the friends, family of the man and the community as well, who are always affected by this.

"Recent surveys do show people in Little Horton feel safer now then they used to - but it is still not perfect. As councillors we work in collaboration with the police and we will continue to work with the police for the residents and in the future we hope that issues such as this will be avoided."

One resident on a nearby row of terrace houses, who did not want to be named, said he had heard a commotion late Thursday night. He said: "I heard some people shouting and a bit of a commotion but I did not go out to check anything. I was surprised when I woke up and saw the street had been cordoned off."

Bradford Coroner Roger Whittaker has been informed of the man's death.