Detectives yesterday continued to question a man arrested in connection with the murder of an elderly man in Fakenham.An inquiry was launched on Tuesday after the discovery of a man's body at the Hall Close complex of bungalows and flats close to the town's police and fire station off Norwich Road.

Detectives yesterday continued to question a man arrested in connection with the murder of an elderly man in Fakenham.

An inquiry was launched on Tuesday after the discovery of a man's body at the Hall Close complex of bungalows and flats close to the town's police and fire station off Norwich Road. Police had been called to the address after a resident raised concerns about the welfare of another resident. The man, who has not been officially named, had suffered head and abdominal injuries.

A 40-year-old Fakenham man has been arrested in connection with the death and was being questioned by detectives. Police were yesterday granted a Warrant of Further Detention by King's Lynn Magistrates allowing them to question him for a longer period.

The victim is understood to have lived in one of the ground-floor flats among nine units within the converted Georgian-style redbrick former Baron's Hall.

The building was at one time used as offices by the old Walsingham Rural District Council. The flats and bungalows are now owned and managed by the Victory Housing Trust.

On Tuesday scene-of-crime officers were busy carrying out detailed examinations of the large property and its grounds.

An area of garden to the left of the hall building was taped off as a scene-of-crime area.

Plain-clothes officers also carried out house-to-house inquiries in the area.

A resident of the bungalows complex, where some units are occupied by adults with learning difficulties, described the man as a happy chap who was into gadgets, having a television in every room of his flat.

“He had a group of friends and they went for a drink together and I am very saddened to learn of his death. He always talked of wanting to move to live in Spain,” said the neighbour, who asked not to be identified.

The victim was a familiar figure around the town and had a distinctive appearance with long grey hair and he wore multiple earrings and rings. He walked with a limp.

He was a regular in the Wensum Lodge at Fakenham where staff expressed shock and sadness at news of his death.

He had been at the Wensum Lodge last weekend and a staff member said he was like one of the family of staff and regular customers.

“He had a bad leg and wore several earrings and rings and a bobble hat. We couldn't believe it when we heard the awful news. He was such a friendly chap and a quiet gentleman and was only in here at the weekend.”

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call detectives at North Walsham CID on 0845 456 4567 or, anonymously, Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.