DETECTIVES in Medway are today continuing their inquiries into how a 43-year-old man died from head injuries.

Peter Allan was found unconscious in Maple Avenue, Gillingham, at the junction with Cavendish Avenue.

He was taken to Gillingham's Medway Maritime Hospital and transferred to King's College Hospital in London the same day but died three days later.

Mr Allan suffered from epilepsy and detectives are unsure if Mr Allan was attacked or had a fit and fell over. But the injury on the left side of his head was so severe, they are looking at all possibilities and currently treating his death as suspicious. A post mortem was due to be carried out today.

Mr Allan was discovered just before 10.30am on Sunday, November 23. He had left his home in Bluebell Close, Gillingham, 25 minutes earlier to buy a newspaper. He lived with, and was a carer, for his disabled mother.

She is being comforted by relatives, too distraught to talk about her son's death.

Sue Blair, Mr Allan's sister-in-law, said the death had been a shock for the family. She said: "He just went out for a paper for his mother and some cigarettes and never came home again."

Det Ch Insp Martin Harris, from Medway Police, said: "We are keeping an open mind but we know he suffered from epilepsy and had a bit of trouble with his walking. But we need to investigate thoroughly because of the severity of the injuries.

"We are appealing for any witnesses who knew him or saw him that day to come forward even if they don't think they saw something suspicious."

Det Ch Insp Harris said Mr Allan was 6ft tall, of slim build and walked with a slight hunch. He was wearing a cream, three-quarter-length coat and blue jeans on the day he was found injured. Mr Allan leaves two sons of 11 and 17.

• Anyone with information is asked to call 01634 884113 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.