A man stabbed to death in Brighton may have been the victim of a homophobic attack.

The middle-aged victim died after suffering massive head injuries and multiple stab wounds at a first-floor flat in Grand Parade, on Tuesday.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Dennis, heading the inquiry, confirmed: "We are looking at the possibility this was a homophobic crime, but that could change in days to come."

Detectives believe they know the identity of the victim but were withholding his details until relatives had been informed.

He was believed to have been visiting the flats at the time of his death.

Meanwhile, police search teams were out yesterday looking for the murder weapon and Mr Dennis asked people to search their gardens and alleyways.

He said: "This was a brutal assault and we urgently need witnesses or anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time to come forward."

A 37-year-old man was arrested at an address in Hove late on Tuesday night.

The alarm was raised by the caretaker of the block of bedsits. He dialled 999 after talking to a man covered in blood who seconds later ran from the scene.

A post-mortem was being carried out yesterday to determine the exact cause of death.