POLICE have launched a murder investigation after the body of a man in his 40s was found in a Port Talbot flat.

Three men aged 24, 45 and 49 were arrested on suspicion of murder and are still being questioned.

The dead man has been named as David John Eves, originally from Sandfields. All three suspects are from the Port Talbot area.

The death has sent shock waves around the Pentyla area of the town, where the body of 43-year-old Mr Eves was found just after 8am yesterday morning.

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Pentyla is just outside the town centre but falls within the Baglan ward. Local councillor Juliet Hopkins said: "It has come as a massive shock but obviously there is sadness as well. He was only 43.

"It's usually quiet in that block of flats."

Ward colleague Peter Richards added: "It's obviously concerning when something like this happens in your area.

"But what is most important is that someone has lost their life. Our thoughts go out to the family."

Nearby residents spoke of seeing police cars but had no idea what had happened.

Baglan councillor John Tallamy said: "We get few complaints from residents of that area.

"This was a very tragic incident and hopefully an isolated one."

A police spokesman confirmed the death was being treated as suspicious and a post mortem had been arranged.

Detective Chief Inspector Dorian Lloyd, of the South Wales Police Specialist Crime Investigation Team, said: "We are currently investigating the circumstances leading up to the discovery of Mr Eves's body in the property shortly after 8am on Friday morning.

"We are appealing to anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the Pentyla area of Baglan on Thursday night through to the early hours of Friday morning to come forward."

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.