Detectives say they do not believe the deaths of three men in Colchester are related to gangs or drugs.

Essex Police launched a murder investigation after three men were found dead at an address in Wellesley Road.

Officers were called at around 10.15pm on Saturday over concerns for the welfare of two men following reports of an altercation.

They attended the scene found two men dead inside a property, while the body of a third man was discovered in a car outside.

A 32-year-old man from Colchester has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident but are "keeping an open mind", the force said.

David Beales, 64, an Anglican minister who lives on the street opposite the property affected, said he "heard nothing" overnight and woke up to find police officers walking up and down the road.

"This is normally quite a peaceful street", he said, adding: "There has been a history of sometimes noise in the flats where the incident took place, but nothing dire like this."

Mr Beales explained he did not know anyone affected by the incident, but had phoned to check on an elderly neighbour in the flats.

Another local resident Steve Pilch, 47, told Sky News he had seen one of the victims "slumped in a Rover" with blood on him at the back of the property as he headed home from the cinema at around midnight.

Also speaking to Sky News, detective superintendent Stephen Jennings of Essex Police said: "Although it's very, very early in the investigation we don't believe this was gang related.

"We don't believe it was drug related, we believe it was very isolated and the individuals, those that have sadly passed away and the person we've got in custody, they are connected."

Anyone who was in or around the Wellesley Road area between 6pm on Saturday and 1am on Sunday and witnessed suspicious or unusual behaviour is urged to contact police.

Wellesley Road remained closed while inquiries continue.