A single bunch of flowers have been left close to the scene in Norwich where a "lovely geezer" was killed.

A murder investigation has been launched following the unexplained death of a man in Appleyard Crescent, Mile Cross.

Eastern Daily Press: Police at a property in Mile Cross where a man was found dead.Police at a property in Mile Cross where a man was found dead. (Image: Peter Walsh, Archant Norfolk)

Police had been called to the property at about 9.30pm on Friday, April 29, after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man.

The body of a man in his 50s was found inside.

A Home Office post-mortem found the man died from serious head wounds and detectives are now treating his death as murder.

Eastern Daily Press: Flowers left outside Mark Franklin's home by his cousin in Mile Cross after his deathFlowers left outside Mark Franklin's home by his cousin in Mile Cross after his death (Image: Peter Walsh, Archant Norfolk)

On Monday a single bouquet of flowers has been left outside the terraced house with the message: "RIP Mark, miss you loads".

Eastern Daily Press: Flowers left in Mile Cross after Mr Franklin's deathFlowers left in Mile Cross after Mr Franklin's death (Image: Peter Walsh, Archant Norfolk)

A 29-year-old man, who lives near to the victim, but did not want to be named said: "He was a lovely geezer.

"He was always out on his bike during the day.

"I'm sure it was electric. He was always out on his bike.

"During the day he was always sleeping but as soon as it got to early evening, he was out on his bike."

The neighbour's partner, 30, said the deceased was "ever so friendly" and a "nice guy" who lived on his own.

Eastern Daily Press: Flowers have been left close to the scene where a man in his 50s was found dead inside a house in Mile Cross.Flowers have been left close to the scene where a man in his 50s was found dead inside a house in Mile Cross. (Image: Peter Walsh, Archant Norfolk)

Paul Holmes, 55, a former police officer, said the man was "a bit of a recluse and a bit of a hoarder".

He said: "I would say 'morning' but he kept himself to himself really."

In terms of the events that led to his death, Mr Holmes said he was out on Friday night at a birthday party but returned to see police there.

He said: "As an ex-police officer I know exactly what is going on, but you don't expect it on your doorstep."

Eastern Daily Press: Police at a property in Mile Cross where a man was found dead.Police at a property in Mile Cross where a man was found dead. (Image: Peter Walsh, Archant Norfolk)

A 40-year-old woman, who lived near to the deceased, but wanted to remain anonymous, said it had all been a "big shock".

She said she never saw anyone going round to visit the man.

Eastern Daily Press: Police at a property in Mile Cross where a man was found dead.Police at a property in Mile Cross where a man was found dead. (Image: Archant Norfolk)

On Monday the scene was still cordoned off with forensic officers searching nearby bins for clues as to what happened.

Eastern Daily Press: Forensics teams searching bins near to a property in Mile Cross where a man was found dead.Forensics teams searching bins near to a property in Mile Cross where a man was found dead. (Image: Peter Walsh, Archant Norfolk)

A man in his 60s arrested in connection with the death has been released on bail until Friday, May 27, while investigations continue.

Eastern Daily Press: Forensics teams searching bins near to a property in Mile Cross where a man was found dead.Forensics teams searching bins near to a property in Mile Cross where a man was found dead. (Image: Peter Walsh, Archant Norfolk)

Both the Appleyard Crescent address, and another in Shipfield, remain cordoned off while officers work to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

Anyone with any information should contact Norfolk Police on 101, quoting cad number 339 of Friday 29 April.