A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two 23-year-old men were stabbed in a town centre yesterday.

One of the men was found dead on the street, and the other remains in a "critical" condition with serious stab injuries.

A 34-year-old man who was arrested near the scene remained in custody last night while murder detectives tried to piece together what led to the tragic incident.

The stabbings happened on Chapel Lane, Keighley, just yards from busy North Street and the High Street roundabout some point between 3am and 4am yesterday.

The man who was killed is believed to be from Eastern Europe. The second man was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary. He remained in hospital late yesterday, with police describing his condition as "critical but stable."

An ambulance crew had been called to the area after reports of men being injured in a disturbance, and when they found out it involved a stabbing, they informed West Yorkshire Police.

Police are eager to hear from anyone who was in the town centre at the time, possibly on their way home from a night out, and may have seen a fight or other "suspicious behaviour."

A number of officers, including Crime Scene Investigators and a scientific support unit, remained at the scene late yesterday afternoon, with a cordon in place blocking the street from the nearby Transdev bus depot to its junction with North Street.

Residents of the area - a mix of homes, business units, and offices, awoke yesterday morning to see a heavy police presence. A tent had been erected at the front of a row of houses off Chapel Lane, and for much of yesterday investigators wearing forensic suits were on site collecting evidence.

Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson, of Protective Services (Crime), said: "Officers have launched a murder enquiry in Keighley following the discovery of these men.

"A man is under arrest on suspicion of murder and we continue to investigate the circumstances of what has taken place.

"I am appealing to anyone who saw fighting or suspicious behaviour in the Chapel Lane area of Keighley between 3am and 4am or who has any information about this incident to contact Bradford District CID on 101. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Councillor Abid Hussain, who represents the Keighley Central ward on Bradford Council, said: "This is very sad news for the entire community of Keighley, and I am very upset that something like this has happened."

Councillor Khadim Hussain, who also represents the ward, said he had been informed of the incident by police yesterday morning. He added: "It is a very tragic incident. From what I've heard it seems like it has been a domestic incident and someone has been arrested. My sympathy goes out to the family of the deceased, it is very sad."