Police said it ‘was reported the victim was assaulted inside the Lamb and Lion pub’ (Picture: Essex Police)

A man is being held on suspicion of murder after a Black Eye Friday death at an Essex pub.

Police found a man with fatal injuries at the Lamb and Lion in Westcliff-on-Sea at around 6.40pm yesterday. 

He was reportedly attacked inside the bar itself, which detectives say was busy at the time.

Paramedics battled to save his life but he was confirmed dead before reaching hospital.

A 44-year-old man was arrested about a mile away in the Pier Hill area shortly after.

Last night was expected to be one of the busiest of the year for pubs and bars around the country.

It’s the first time since 2016 that the last Friday before Christmas has fallen just two days before the day itself.

The annual occasion is nicknamed ‘Black Eye Friday’ because the date has historically been associated with higher levels of anti-social behaviour.

The death happened on what was expected to be one of the busiest nights of the year for UK nightlife businesses (Picture: Essex Police)

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: ‘My thoughts and condolences are with the victim’s family in what will be a very difficult time.

‘Our investigation is in its early stages and we are still working to establish the circumstances which led up to the incident.

‘The victim was assaulted inside a busy pub at a time where there would have been lots of people around and would have seen what happened.

‘I need anyone who was at the pub saw the incident or what led up to it to contact us.’

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A 44-year-old man is being held after a death at an Essex pub.