A MAN died at his home hours after being involved in a street brawl.

Police have confirmed the man was Gerald Doherty, 45, of Welling Close, Dursley, known locally as Gerry.

Mr Doherty died of natural causes, but police believe he was involved in a street fight that broke out in Long Street, Dursley, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police attended the scene at 3.20am where a group of around seven men were fighting.

A police spokeswoman said: "Most of the group had dispersed by the time police arrived. At the time no one was thought to be injured or in need or medical assistance."

Five hours later an ambulance was called to a house in Dursley and Mr Doherty was rushed to Gloucester Royal Hospital, where he later died.

A post mortem examination later revealed that his death was unrelated to the fight and that he died of natural causes.

Stavros Antonio, owner of Capone's nightclub in Long Street, said the fight started in his club.

"A scuffle started between about five men, so the bouncer threw them out," said Mr Antonio. "The fight continued in the alleyway and we threw them out onto the street.

"When the police arrived most of them had run off."

Police closed Long Street until around 2pm on Sunday for forensic examinations to take place.

Officers are also examining CCTV footage to look for potential witnesses.

If you have any information on the incident on Sunday, December 30 call police on 0845 090 1234 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident 88/Dec 30th.

* A 20-year-old man was arrested for affray and remains on police bail while the investigation continues.