A man has died following a disturbance at a New Year party attended by more than 400 people.

South Yorkshire Police launched a murder investigation following the death during an incident at the Stars and Mayfair Party Suites, in Sheffield, in the early hours of this morning.

Officers were called to the venue on Queen's Road, about a mile from the city centre, at 2.47am.

A spokesman said: "Officers understand a confrontation led to a man being assaulted, sustaining injuries from which he died."

Tonight, he confirmed the man died at the scene but said he could not give any more details about his injuries or the cause of death until a post-mortem examination had been completed.

He said the body has not been formally identified and family members were still being informed of the man's death.

"This incident happened at a busy event with more than 400 people in attendance," the spokesman said.

"Police are continuing to investigate a number of lines of enquiry to identify the person or people responsible for the man's death."

The scene was cordoned off today, with police and forensic officers in white overalls going in and out of the building and a number of police vehicles parked outside.

The venue is in a large building which also houses a casino and roller-skating rink. It was well-known in the city for many years an ice rink complex.

It is on a main road, which is one of the busiest routes into Sheffield from the south, and is just a short walk from the city's main railway station.

According to its web site, the venue caters for functions for 50 to 700 guests, including weddings and birthday parties.

Passers-by said they were shocked by the death.

One pensioner said: "It's a terrible way to start a new year, isn't it?

"People going out just to have a good time and then this happens."