Police quiz man over death in fence row

The victim, grandfather David Fantom, 63, had been involved in an ongoing dispute over the fence with Donald Bowman, 56, according to people living in Windermere Road in Stockport, Cheshire.

Mr Fantom suffered head injuries during an assault at his home on Thursday morning and died soon after in hospital. Mr Bowman was later arrested on suspicion of murder.

A 6ft fence was recently put up between the neat semi-detached properties in the quiet suburban street.

Mr Fantom was pronounced dead at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, yesterday. It is understood a weapon had been used in the assault.

Neighbours spoke of their shock at how a petty dispute over a fence could have led to a man's death.

Mr Fantom had lived at the house with his wife, Elaine, for around 30 years. Their daughter, who has a child, lives nearby.

Mr Bowman, himself a father, had moved to his property around four years ago, according to neighbours.

Both houses are well-kept lawns and hanging baskets.

But the dividing fence between the two properties is believed to have caused friction for a number of weeks.

The fence had originally been around 5ft, but Mr Bowman, wanting more privacy, is understood to have then put up a higher fence of 6ft.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "David was a smashing bloke. He had only recently retired. I think he was an engineer for a national firm, I used to see his van parked outside. He was made redundant last year and decided to retire.

"I know he loved his garden. He was just a quiet bloke. All this over a fence, but for some people I suppose it is their boundary."