The death of a care worker found dead in the grounds of a church in Halesowen is being treated as murder, detectives have said.

West Midlands Police said forensic inquiries were continuing after the body of Paul Hadley was found outside St John the Baptist Church on Wednesday.

A post-mortem examination found that Mr Hadley, who lived and worked in the town, died from a head injury.

Detective Inspector Will O'Connor said officers had established that Mr Hadley had been out drinking in Halesowen town centre on Tuesday evening.

"We are particularly keen to trace his steps later that evening and want to speak to anyone who may have seen him after around 7pm," he said.

Local reports suggested that Mr Hadley may have been attacked while carrying a sizeable sum of cash after winning a bet.

Mr O'Connor said: "We are aware that there are rumours circulating locally about the motive for Mr Hadley's murder, but at this stage we are keeping an open mind and not speculating."

Anyone who has information to assist the police inquiry is urged to contact officers in the Major Investigation Unit at Birmingham's Acocks Green police station on 0845 113 5000