A father-to-be was murdered in a Wolverhampton street just hours before his wife gave birth to a baby girl, it was revealed today.

The pizza delivery driver was attacked in Chapel Ash as his unsuspecting wife went into labour at the city’s New Cross Hospital.

Police broke news of the tragedy to the woman after she gave birth.

Today two men were in custody on suspicion of murder after a post mortem revealed the victim, who is in his 40s, died of head and chest injuries as a result of being attacked just before midnight on Tuesday.

The dead man lived in Merridale Street West, in Merridale, and worked at Flames takeaway in Chapel Ash.

Detectives believe the death may be linked to an earlier fight in Flames. It is not known whether the victim was returning from work when he was attacked in Clifton Street, where he was found dead by police.

The street remained sealed off today by police tape. Det Ch Insp Mark Payne said: “I would be very interested to hear from anybody who witnessed a fight in Flames between 10.30am and midnight on Tuesday.

“Chapel Ash has many eating and drinking establishments and there would still have been plenty of people around.”

Extra police patrols have been launched in the area.

A dedicated phone line for witnesses to pass information to has now been set up.

It can be reached on 01922 439107.