LATE-night drinkers who witnessed the street fight in which Keith Platt was stabbed to death are being urged to come forward.

It is believed that up to 80 people might have witnessed the brawl in Market Street, Farnworth last Friday.

Dozens of people have already been interviewed and hours of CCTV footage are now being examined, but police are urging more passers-by to contact them.

Mr Platt, aged 30, of Grosvenor Street, Kearsley, suffered stab wounds in a fight close to the Post Office pub.

He was found by a passing police patrol at 11.15pm and taken to hospital where he later died of his injuries.

Richard Knott, aged 19, of Masefield Drive, New Bury, has been charged with Mr Platt's murder.

Daniel Walmsley, aged 20, of Buckley Lane, Farnworth, also appeared, charged with violent disorder and two counts of assault in connection with the same incident.

Det Chief Insp Pete Giles said: "This incident happened at a busy time of night, when the local pubs were closing and many people were making their way home from a night out.

"We have spoken to many witnesses, but from studying CCTV of the area, we believe there are still some people who we have not had the opportunity to speak to yet.

"These people were not involved in the incident and were simply passers-by and I can understand why they may not think they would need to speak to us, but I am appealing to them to make contact as they could have vital information to help our investigation."

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 1722.