NANTWICH father Brian Waters was found dead on the Tabley farm by police officers that arrived at the scene following an anonymous call.

Three of Mr Waters' family were also found at the farm, two of whom had been threatened and assaulted.

Another man, Sulenan Razak, 20, of Manchester, was found at the property, which had been rented by Mr Waters, suffering serious injuries.

James Stuart Raven, 44, from Manchester was arrested in Tabley shortly after the incident and has been charged with murder.

Two other men, Otis Lee Matthews, 26, and John Wilson, 53, both from Greater Manchester, have also since been charged with the murder.

Wilson is also charged with conspiracy to commit GBH.

Raven and Matthews are both charged with causing GBH with intent and four counts of false imprisonment.

The three men face trial on June 9 next year.

A 51-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man are further accused of assisting an offender and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

At a press conference on Tuesday detectives said they are keen to identify the motorist who called them from a payphone shortly after the attack.

The caller, a man with a Manchester accent who would not give his name, said he was heading to Northwich up the A556 when he spotted a farm from the road.

He said: "It looked like there was three men beating somebody up in the courtyard. It didn't look nice at all."

Leading the investigation Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones said of the caller: "We do not know if he is a Good Samaritan or one of those involved in the incident who had an attack of conscience.

"We want to identify him as he is a key witness."

DCI Phil Jones confirmed the incident was drugs-related and that a quantity of cannabis was found at the farm.

He said: "We believe that as many as four people involved with the incident are still at large.

"We are appealing for the drugs and criminal fraternity of Cheshire and Manchester to assist us in apprehending the offenders and are offering a reward of £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible."