Two held in axe murder investigation

British detectives are today questioning two young men over the axe murder of black teenager Anthony Walker.

Michael Barton, 17, and Paul Taylor, 20, were arrested after they arrived at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on a flight from Amsterdam last night.

The pair had left the UK and gone to Holland but returned voluntarily with a solicitor yesterday.

They were among several men wanted for questioning by Merseyside Police over the alleged racially motivated killing in Huyton.

The dramatic arrival came the day after Michael Barton's brother, Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton, had issued a televised appeal for his brother to hand himself in.

Four other males arrested on suspicion of attempted murder have all been released on police bail, pending further enquiries.

A-level student, Anthony, a devout Christian and talented sportsman, was attacked while trying to walk his 17-year-old girlfriend to a bus stop in Huyton on Friday night.

He was verbally and racially abused by a gang of thugs and decided to walk away from the trouble.

A short time later, he was attacked by a gang with an axe. The weapon was left embedded in his head when his body was found.