A WORCESTER man has been charged with the murder of Michael Kelly.

Detectives investigating the killing spent three days quizzing two men they suspected of being involved in an arson attack at Mr Kelly's Tolladine home on Tuesday.

By 2.30pm yesterday, a 31-year-old man police described as "local", had been charged with his murder.

He was due to appear before Worcester magistrates today, but police declined to name him until the hearing had taken place.

The second man was released without charge.

The news came after police revealed 20 officers had been drafted in and an incident room set up to investigate the killing of the jobless 35-year-old, who lived in a first-floor maisonette in Teme Road.

Body discovered

Mr Kelly's body was discovered on Thursday in a copse off Grafton Lane, between Bidford-on-Avon and Temple Grafton in Warwickshire.

A local man made the grisly discovery around noon.

The pathologist who carried out the post mortem revealed Mr Kelly died from head injuries.

Det Supt David Gower, who is leading the investigation, said enquiries were still continuing and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

"We're continuing to work closely with Warwickshire Police who are continuing their detailed examination of the site where Mr Kelly's body was found," said Det Supt Gower.

"We're looking for anyone who might have seen any suspicious activities taking place in Teme Road in the hours leading up to the arson attack at about 9.30pm on Tuesday.

"We also want to hear from anyone who saw anything unusual in the copse on Thursday lunchtime - particularly people who saw someone dropping off some sort of object."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the incident room on 01905 723888, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 515539.