Drug dealers and addicts were issued an urgent warning today after a rogue batch of heroin was blamed for four deaths in Bradford.

Police revealed the men had died in separate incidents over a ten-day period - and stressed that more deaths could follow while the drug stayed remained on the streets.

Detective Inspector Jerry O'Shea, who is heading the investigation, said: "I am appealing to the better instincts of dealers to dispose of any remaining substances safely before any more of these tragic incidents occur.

"If they do not and they are found to be responsible, they face very serious criminal charges."

He urged users to stop taking heroin immediately and seek medical attention, adding: "They must realise the enormous risk to their lives if they use such drugs."

The first fatality occurred on Friday, August 23 when the body of 23-year-old Stuart Finan was discovered at a house in Clayton.

Friends told how they thought Mr Finan had finally won his ten-year battle against addiction after leaving a rehabilitation centre just weeks earlier.

A week later, a 23-year-old user was found dead on the city's Ravenscliffe estate and the following day another 21-year-old man died in Scholemoor.

And yesterday morning police confirmed that a 35-year-old man was found dead in the Little Horton area.

Det Insp O'Shea said it was "strongly suspected" each man had taken heroin before dying although he could not say if this had been injected or smoked.

He added: "The fact that we have four deaths in just over a week in such a localised area suggests there may be a rogue batch in circulation."

It is unclear if the consignment responsible has been contaminated or is simply unusually pure.

"Drug addicts can never know the strength of what they are taking or if it has been mixed with anything," said Det Insp O'Shea.

"Drug taking is a highly risky business at any time but if there is rogue batch of heroin in circulation that danger is multiplied many times over."

He said: "I would appeal to the families and friends of drug users to support them and help them to seek medical attention.

"And I would urge the public to help us arrest the people who are killing our communities."