Police have issued pictures of the two men they are hunting in connection with the murder of have-a-go-hero Kevin Jackson.

Raees Khan, 20, and Rangzaib Akhtar, 19, both from Manningham in Bradford, are prime suspects in connection with an attack on the father-of-two on December 30.

Detectives investigating 31-year-old Mr Jackson's murder took the unusual step of naming the two Bradford men in a bid to finally track them down.

Mr Jackson died after being savagely beaten and stabbed in the head with a screwdriver as he tried to stop thieves stealing his father-in-law's Toyota Rav 4 in Halifax.

Detective Superintendent Bob Bridgestock, who is heading the investigation into Mr Jackson's death, said he was confident that both men were still in the UK - although one had recently tried to gain a passport - and appealed for information about their whereabouts.

"The inquiries to trace these two men continue," Det Supt Bridgestock said. "Their details have already been circulated to police forces nationally and all ports of exit from the country have been alerted to their identities.

"They have not responded to the appeal to give themselves up and that door remains open. However, we want the public to know the identities of these two and make it more difficult for them to remain in hiding."

And he said he had a clear message for anyone thinking of helping the fugitives.

"If you are providing accommodation, transport or any other assistance to these men, then you will be arrested."

The men are wanted in connection with the murder of Mr Jackson, who was stabbed in the head and severely beaten in Copley Lane, Halifax, on December 30. He died on New Year's day.

Mr Jackson, a maintenance engineer, left two sons, one aged seven and one 15 months, and wife Julie, 33.

He was attacked after he saw two men allegedly trying to steal his father-in-law's Rav 4 car in Lower Skircoat Green, Halifax.

Giving an emotional press conference held shortly after the murder, Mrs Jackson appealed for people to come forward with information. She hailed her husband a hero and recalled how she took her son of seven to hospital to "kiss daddy goodbye".

Det Supt Bridgestock said today he wanted to make it "extremely difficult" for them to remain in hiding. He said he was "confident" that both men were in the north of England and that even the criminal fraternity in Bradford had supplied information to the police.

"It was a particularly savage murder and people should not get involved in assisting these two people," said Det Supt Bridgestock. "My message to the community is to tell us where they are.

"They have not left the country - I am confident about that."

He said both men lived with their families in the Manningham area of Bradford and both were Bradford-born and bred. Khan is 5ft tall, slim, and may now have a beard. Akhtar is 5ft 10ins tall and slim.

Det Supt Bridgestock said: "There have been a number of calls from people. The general feeling is that this was an unnecessary murder and was particularly violent."

Anyone with information about the suspect's whereabouts should contact the incident room on (01422) 337156.