Police launched a murder hunt today after a cricket club member was beaten to death next to the pitch last night.

Detectives believe the 31-year-old victim was robbed as he walked up the path to Undercliffe Cricket Club at 10pm.

He was discovered lying on the path with serious head injuries by a member of the club. A number of items belonging to him are thought to have been found close by.

Emergency services were alerted and an ambulance rushed him to Bradford Royal Infirmary but doctors were unable to save him. He died there at about 11pm.

A murder inquiry was immediately launched, headed by Detective Superintendent Phil Sedgwick.

The club, in Intake Road, was packed at the time of the murder, where it is understood an 18th birthday party was taking place.

The victim, who is believed to be single and lived locally, was a regular at the club, where he played snooker and darts.

Det Supt Sedgwick said police were trying to establish the motive for the killing.

He said: "We are looking at all angles at the moment. Robbery is one possibility we are considering."

Det Supt Sedgwick said the victim, who has not yet been named, was a regular at the club and appealed for anyone who had been there on Thursday night to contact police.

He added: "We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area last night. Intake Road is a very busy road and we are hoping someone will have seen something that may help."

Det Supt Sedgwick said detectives were speaking to potential witnesses from the club and inquiries were being made at houses overlooking the back of the ground.

A forensic examination of the murder scene was also taking place along with a post-mortem examination on the dead man to establish exactly how he died.

The victim was walking to the club when he was attacked just inside the entrance to the grounds on a dark path, near to the pitch, leading to the clubhouse.

Today Intake Road was sealed off by police in both directions 200 yards either side of the club entrance and officers were guarding the scene. A number of police vehicles could be seen on the road.

Bar steward Andrew Bullock said everyone at the club was shocked and saddened by the killing.

"We are very, very shocked by this. You do not expect this to happen round here, especially to a member who had just come out for a quiet drink. He was a very, very popular person and we cannot believe what has happened."

Another member, who was in the club at the time, said they were alerted by someone from the club who had found the injured man lying on the path outside.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: "He had been badly injured. The police were alerted straight away and within minutes the club was swarming with officers.

"The club was very busy and nobody could believe it. We were just there for a quiet drink. He would come in regularly and go into the snooker room to play snooker, and was also involved in the darts section.

"I only knew him to say hello to but he had a lot of friends here. He was a very well-liked person."