Four people were being quizzed by murder squad detectives last night after a 50-year-old man was stabbed to death following a house party.

The victim, named by police as Peter Brocklesby, died in hospital after suffering stab wounds to his back in the attack in Brooklyn Road, Cleckheaton, in the early hours of Saturday.

Police believe an argument had broken out at the house party and Mr Brocklesby had been asked for help.

He was then approached in the street by a group of men and women and there was another argument which ended in him being stabbed.

Mr Brocklesby was taken to Dewsbury District Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Last night, two women, aged 19 and 20 and two men, also aged 19 and 20, were being quizzed by detectives in West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET).

Detectives investigating the incident were yesterday granted extra time to question one of the women and they have appealed for information from the public about the killing.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Bottomley, who is leading the investigation, said: “Officers have established that the incident which led to this man losing his life stemmed from an altercation at a house party at a nearby property on Brooklyn Road.

“The police and ambulance service were called to Brooklyn Road at about 12.50am, and we believe there were a large number of people in the area at the time.

“We remain keen to speak to anyone who witnessed either incident, or has information which can assist our enquiries.”

The 19-year-old man and 20-year-old woman were arrested at a property in Castleford early yesterday.

The 19-year-old man was also arrested on Saturday afternoon.

The three arrests follow the arrest of a 19-year-old woman earlier on Saturday.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out and found Mr Brocklesby died of stab wounds.

On Saturday, police were carrying out a fingertip search of the area, including searching roadside drains in nearby Balme Road. Officers stood guard at a cordon stretching across the entrance to Brooklyn Road while investigations continued.

Residents told of their shock at the weekend. Laura Jones, 23, of Balme Road, said: “I was up with my baby and I heard tyres screeching.

“I looked out of my window and I just saw the police cars turn up. I couldn’t sleep after that because I kept looking out of the window.”

Her mum Susan, 57, added: “You don’t expect this sort of thing to happen on your own doorstep.”

Anyone with information should contact HMET on 0845 6060606, or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.