The Evening Gazette has joined forces with Essex Police in a bid to help track down a pensioner's murderer.

Roger Turnell, 70, was found dead on his bed by firefighters, called to a fire at his bungalow in Rosecroft Close, Great Clacton.

Tests revealed the pensioner had died from asphyxiation before the fire started. Now the Gazette has produced posters and 1,000 leaflets to be used in the hunt to catch those responsible for the crime.

Mr Turnell, a well-respected member of the gay community, lived alone and did voluntary work for Colchester Gay Switchboard and Polarity.

Supt Ian McNeill said he was delighted to be able to team up with the Gazette.

"The posters will be put up in strategic places - such as Colchester Gay Switchboard and in Great Clacton where Mr Turnell lived," he said.

"We will also have officers out on the streets of Great Clacton on Saturday handing out the leaflets in the hope it will get more people to come forward.

"We have done this sort of exercise in other Murder investigations I have worked on and it is a useful tool to get closer to the community."

Gazette editor Irene Kettle said the paper was pleased to be able to help in any way it could.

"Being at the heart of the community, we want to be able to assist the police in solving this crime and see those responsible for murdering Mr Turnell convicted," she added.

Supt McNeill said that the response from people had been good so far, but they were hoping the latest effort would bring in new information and leads.

"We have a gay officer, DC David Bates, helping out and are working closely with the gay switchboard in an effort to encourage people in the gay community who knew Mr Turnell and his lifestyle to come forward," he said.

"He shopped and talked to people in Great Clacton and we are sure there are people who can help us. We will be making a concerted effort to speak to them on Saturday."

Murder hunt - the Gazette poster which hopefully will help in tracking down Roger Turnell's killer.

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