A POLICE probe into the death of a man found in the street with head injuries is pointing towards them being caused by accident.

The investigation was sparked by an anonymous telephone call to The Gazette last Wednesday when the caller claimed that 51-year-old Alan Woods had been "bludgeoned to death".

Mr Woods, who lived in Winklebury with his mother Nina, was found lying in Wote Street at 2.20pm on December 18. He died in Basingstoke hospital last Tuesday.

Mr Woods' family has hit out at the attack claim. His brother Colin said: "This talk of him being attacked is a load of garbage. I'd like to know who's saying it."

Detective Inspector Jim Antczak, of Basingstoke CID, told The Gazette: "Everything we have discovered so far points to an accident. It was a wet day and the pavement was slippery.

"A man walking behind Mr Woods saw him slip, try to grab a litter bin, and fall heavily on the back of his head. A cleaner from Phase One nearby asked him what happened as he lay there and he replied 'I fell over'."

Detectives are waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination to be carried out on Monday, January 22.

Meanwhile, anyone with any information about how Mr Woods came by his injuries, or the identity of the mystery caller, should call Basingstoke CID on 0845 045 45 45 or the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.