Police investigating the murder of Kenneth Nicholl in Larne, Co Antrim, at the weekend are continuing to question a man.

Mr Nicholl had been stabbed several times when his body was found close to where he lived with his partner and young son, in an alley between Herbert Avenue and Waterloo Road, on Sunday morning.

A police spokeswoman said a 28-year-old man had been arrested and was being questioned at Antrim Police Station.

The 28-year-old father-of-one was a welder at the Ballylumford Power Station, near Larne, and also played darts for the local Phoenix social club.

He had also recently taken up golf and was a motorcycle enthusiast.

The Larne Times reported this week that the local minister, Rev Paul Reid, said Mr Nicholl was "a loving son and a devoted father" and that he was planning - together with Linda, his partner - to marry next year".

As both the dead man's family and the police appealed for information on his movements before the fatal stabbing, it was revealed that on Saturday, Kenny enjoyed a works outing to Down Royal races and at the end of the day he had got a lift home with his father, at around 10.30pm.

Police have already said that nothing is known of his whereabouts after that time.

The Larne Times also reports a cousin of the victim, Noel Small said the family is anxious to back the earlier PSNI appeal for information.

"If anybody has any information at all - if they heard anything, or saw something that occurred on the Saturday night, or maybe something that has been said since - no matter how trivial they think it is, please take it to the PSNI.

"If they don't want to do that, Rev Reid has agreed to pass on any information, or they could use the confidential Crimestoppers service," he said.

(BMcC)