Mazhar Ali, from Stockton, Teesside, was attacked in the Manjaros restaurant on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, and died in hospital on Christmas Day.

Cleveland Police said a 20-year-old man was in police custody in relation to the attack.

Mr Ali had been treated in the James Cook University Hospital and he was said to have been in a critical condition after the 3.40pm incident.

The premises will not be open for the next few days, the force said.

Manjaros serves a fusion of African and Caribbean food and was due to feed homeless people on Christmas Day.

According to reports, customers were urgently asked to leave the restaurant midway through their meals.

Police cordoned off an alleyway behind the premises.