FRIENDS today paid tribute to Newport man Paul Scott (pictured) as detectives launched a murder probe.

Mr Scott was found dead at his home in Ifton Place, Somerton, by friends on Tuesday morning.

Newport police confirmed a murder inquiry was under way after a post-mortem examination showed the 36-year-old had suffered multiple injuries.

Officers are continuing to question a 32-year-old local man in connection with Mr Scott's death.

He was arrested on Tuesday and magistrates yesterday agreed to extend the length of time he could be held in custody.

Last night shocked friends told of their "devastation" at the death of unemployed father Mr Scott.

One, a childhood friend, told the Argus he was a "lovely man and a devoted father". Louise Wallis, who also lives in Ifton Place, added: "I have known Scotty for 17 years and he was a good man and a good father.

"I saw him on the day he died and he was his usual bubbly self, laughing and joking. "He was an outgoing person and he would sometimes play football with my son, who is the same age as his boy."

Mrs Wallis' husband, Richard, said the street was stunned by Mr Scott's death. He said: "It's blown us all away, no-one deserves to go like that.

"All of his friends round here are devastated by what's happened, but the real victims are his children."

Mrs Wallis added: "He was lovely and he will be sadly missed." Mr Scott's family have been too upset to talk about his death.

Police were called to the semi-detached house at around 10.45am on Tuesday after Mr Scott's body was found in bed.

A post-mortem examination revealed he had died from "multiple injuries including a number of fractures".

The house remains cordoned off by police, who also removed a section of garden fence some 250 yards from Mr Scott's home for analysis. A police spokeswoman said: "A 32-year-old local man who was arrested yesterday afternoon is still in custody but has not been charged."