Three more people were arrested today by police officers investigating the murder of a 41-year-old south Shropshire man.

The two women and a man were arrested in the Leominster area this morning in connection with the death of George Black of Bucknell on December 8. 

Pawnbroker Mr Black, 41, suffered severe burns in a fire at his house at The Square and died in hospital in Liverpool on December 10.

A woman from the Leominster area has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice. She has been taken to Telford police station for questioning. 

The other woman and a man were also arrested this morning. 

They were taken into custody on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice and assisting an offender. 

Two men from the Leominster area, Robert William James Field and Gareth Edward Powell, have already been charged with Mr Black’s murder. They are jointly charged with murdering George Black between December 7 and 11 and arson at his Bucknell home on December 8 with intent to endanger the life of Sylvia Marie Smith.

Sylvia Smith was admitted to another hospital with severe burns but has since been discharged.

The Deputy Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Mick Homden, said today: “We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Black’s death and would repeat our appeals for any information which might assist the inquiry.”